The Delhi High Court on Monday sought the response of the Chief Election Officer of Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) on a plea challenging the result of the recently held student body elections, where allegations of electronic voting machine (EVM) tampering have been raised.
Justice Mini Pushkarna issued notice to Delhi University and other respondents on the petition filed by outgoing DUSU president Ronak Khatri, who has contested the outcome of the presidential election. The court posted the matter for further hearing on December 16.
Khatri has alleged that the September 18 DUSU elections were marred by deliberate tampering of EVMs. According to the petition, blue ink markings were found against the name of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad’s (ABVP) presidential candidate Aryan Mann, allegedly to influence voters.
The plea claims that this compromised the neutrality, transparency, and legitimacy of the electoral process. It further alleged that complaints made by polling agents and students to preserve the “tainted” EVMs and halt polling were ignored by election officials, returning officers, and teachers on duty.
The petition also points to reported irregularities at Hansraj College, Kirori Mal College, and the Faculty of Law, where instances of alleged tampering were specifically witnessed.
It has sought directions to ensure free and fair elections to DUSU and to quash the results of the contested polls.
The court will now hear arguments on whether the alleged violations warrant judicial intervention in the student union election process.
