Delhi High Court warns of halting DUSU vote counting over violence

The Delhi High Court on Thursday warned it may stay the counting and declaration of results for the Delhi University Students Union elections if authorities fail to satisfactorily address alleged widespread violence and violations during campaigning. The court directed Delhi Police and the university to submit status reports by Friday, September 18, detailing actions taken in response to the incidents. A bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia issued the warning during a hearing on a plea concerning the implementation of election guidelines. The court stated it was not currently staying or postponing the election, with voting scheduled for Friday and counting for Saturday, but emphasized that harsher orders could follow if the authorities' responses were unsatisfactory. "No excuses will be accepted by the court," the bench said, adding that criminal conduct could not be justified in the name of democracy. The court described the material before it as indicative of a "complete failure" by the authorities and students to ensure a peaceful process.