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Key Points

The Delhi High Court has taken action on a petition challenging the DUSU presidential election. It has issued a notice to Delhi University and ordered the preservation of all EVMs used in the poll. The plea, filed by the NSUI candidate and a former DUSU president, claims EVMs were tampered with to favor the ABVP candidate. The court will hear the matter again in December.

Key Points: Delhi HC Issues Notice on DUSU EVM Tampering Plea Directs EVM Preservation

  • Delhi HC directs secure preservation of EVMs and related documents from DUSU polls
  • Petition alleges blue ink markings on EVMs favored ABVP's presidential candidate
  • Court notes the winning candidate has not been made a party to the case
  • Petitioners seek fresh presidential election under judicial supervision
2 min read

Delhi HC issues notice on plea challenging DUSU presidential polling, directs preservation of EVMs

Delhi High Court orders preservation of DUSU presidential poll EVMs after NSUI candidate and ex-DUSU chief file plea alleging tampering and irregularities.

"Someone has merely put a thumb mark; there is no tampering. - Advocate Mohinder Rupal for Delhi University"

New Delhi, September 22

The Delhi High Court has issued notice to Delhi University on a petition challenging the recently concluded Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) election for the post of President on allegations of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) tampering.

The Court has also directed that EVMs used in the presidential polling, along with paper trails and related documents, be preserved securely under lock and key.

The petition has been filed by Ronak Khatri, former DUSU President, and Joslyn Nandita Chaudhary, the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) candidate for the post of President (2025).

They have alleged that the polling held on September 18, 2025, was vitiated due to tampered EVMs and sought quashing of the process and a fresh election under judicial supervision.

During the hearing, Advocate Mohinder Rupal, appearing for Delhi University, contended that there was no tampering, stating, "Someone has merely put a thumb mark; there is no tampering."

The Court observed, "The present writ petition has been filed with the prayer for direction to quash and set aside the polling process for the President post in view of the ground that there has been tampering of EVMs. Issue notice."

It also noted that while the petition makes specific allegations of irregularities, the winning candidate for the post of President has not been impleaded as a party.

As an interim measure, the Court directed the Electoral Commissioner of Delhi University to ensure that the EVMs, paper trails, and related documentation remain preserved under secure custody. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on December 16.

The plea claims that during polling across several colleges, grave irregularities were detected. In particular, the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) allegedly carried blue ink markings deliberately placed against the name of the ABVP's presidential candidate on the ballot display.

According to the petitioners, these visible markings were clearly noticeable to every voter approaching the machine and were intended to influence, pressure, or direct voters towards one candidate. Such manipulation, they argue, undermines the very foundation of the electoral process by eroding the principles of free and fair elections, neutrality of the electoral apparatus, secrecy of the ballot, and equality among contesting candidates.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
As a DU student who voted in these elections, I noticed something odd about the machines. There were indeed visible marks near one candidate's name. Glad someone challenged this - democracy should prevail in student politics too.
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Arjun K
The university's response is disappointing. "Someone has merely put a thumb mark" - really? When there are specific allegations, they should take it seriously instead of dismissing concerns. Hope justice is served before December hearing.
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Sarah B
While I support fair elections, I wonder if this is just political gamesmanship. The petitioners belong to NSUI, and they lost. Could this be sour grapes? The court should ensure the process isn't being misused for political gains.
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Vikram M
Student elections are supposed to teach us about democracy. If EVMs can be tampered with so easily, what message are we sending to the youth? The preservation order is a good first step. Let's see what evidence comes out. 🗳️
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Michael C
Interesting how the court noted that the winning candidate wasn't made a party to the case. That's a procedural flaw. Both sides need to be heard properly for justice to be served. Hope they rectify this before the next hearing.
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Ananya R
This is why

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