A Public Interest Litigation has been filed before the Delhi High Court challenging the election notification concerning the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) polls for the academic year 2026–27.

The matter was mentioned today by a counsel before a division bench headed by Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya which allowed listing for tomorrow.

The petition, filed by Delhi University student Vijeta, seeks quashing of the election notification dated August 13 and the notice dated September 11.

It seeks directions to the University of Delhi to conduct the elections in accordance with the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations and the Ministry of Human Resource Development's directions.

Vijeta states that the electoral process must be conducted in conformity with the binding judicial directions and applicable regulatory framework, thereby safeguarding the fairness, transparency and legality of the election process.

The plea submits that concerns arose regarding the alleged involvement, influence or association of political parties in the student election process and the requirement that student elections and student representation remain independent of political-party control or influence.

It alleges that panels of candidates have been issued by student organisations affiliated with political parties, including NSUI, associated with the Indian National Congress; AISA-SFI alliance; ASAP, the student wing of the Aam Aadmi Party and ABVP, the student wing of the BJP.

According to the petition, candidates shortlisted for the posts of President, Vice-President, Secretary and Joint Secretary were drawn from the said panels.

It also alleges that the involvement of political-party-affiliated organisations is contrary to the principle of disassociation of student elections and representation from political parties under Clause 6.3 of the Lyngdoh Committee Report.

“It is crystal clear that that student wings are wing of political parties. Hence, the candidate shortlisted are members of political parties and directly governed by the ideology of those political parties. Therefore, accepting the candidature of such member of political parties who are also students in the Universities and Colleges under the Universities cannot be permitted to contest election in terms of Lyngdoh Committee Report accepted by the Hon'ble Supreme Court and Government of India,” the plea states.

It adds: “That the Petitioner, being a student of University of Delhi, has witnessed how political parties are converting the academic environment of the University campus into a political atmosphere during student union elections in the universities and colleges. The mutual harmony and academic discussions on the campuses of universities and colleges have been overtaken by political influence and discussions along political lines. Consequently, bitterness is making inroads among the students, which ultimately affects teaching and learning in the University.”

The plea is filed through Advocates Sneh Vardhan and Pratibha Sinha.

Title: MS. VIJETA v. UNION OF INDIA & ORS