DU poll booth tampering case: Delhi HC orders EVMs preserved
Delhi HC orders DU to secure EVMs in DU poll booth tampering case. NSUI alleges bias in DUSU elections, raising questions on transparency and fairness.
The Delhi High Court has directed Delhi University to secure the electronic voting machines used in the recent student elections. The order came on Monday in response to a petition alleging DU poll booth tampering. The case is linked to the election of the new president of the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU). The next hearing is fixed for December 16.
Allegations of bias in student polls
The petition was filed by NSUI leaders Ronak Khatri and Joslyn Nandita Choudhary. They challenged the win of ABVP candidate Aryan Maan as DUSU president. The polls were held on September 18, and the results were announced the following day. As per student sources, the complaint highlights irregularities at Hansraj College, Kirori Mal College, and the Faculty of Law. The petition claims that blue ink marks were seen against the names of ABVP candidates on EVMs. This, according to the petitioners, created a sense of bias among voters and swayed the outcome. The plea demanded fresh elections for the top post.
The court has now asked the university’s chief electoral commissioner to keep all EVMs, paper trails, and related documents under secure lock and key. Social media videos suggest that debates on campus have grown intense since the result was declared. Some students argue that the issue is political. Others insist it is about fairness in the voting process.
Background and student response
Ronak Khatri served as DUSU president last year. Joslyn Nandita Choudhary contested this year from NSUI but lost. Their petition alleged DU poll booth tampering and claimed that the neutrality of the process was compromised. The ABVP’s Aryan Maan, who secured the win, has not been made a party in the case. According to posts online, this legal gap has raised questions about how the matter will proceed in court.
The varsity’s lawyer opposed the plea, saying the petitioners had not included the winning candidate or the concerned colleges. This, according to legal observers, could weaken the case. However, many students on campus are not focusing on legal technicalities. They are worried about trust in student democracy itself. As per campus conversations, the mood has been divided. Some believe the EVM system is strong. Others worry that even small signs of tampering can damage credibility.
Why the case matters
The controversy over DU poll booth tampering goes beyond one student election. Delhi University elections often shape student politics across the city. They are also viewed as an early platform for future leaders in national politics. This is why any doubts about the voting process attract wider attention. The petitioners argue that free and fair elections are part of the Constitution’s basic structure. Analysts note that even small signs of irregularity can undermine faith in the process. According to student debates online, the incident has already started polarising campus politics further.
Historically, DU elections have mirrored larger national trends. A strong ABVP performance is often seen as a sign of the growing influence of right-wing politics among students. NSUI, linked to the Congress, views the issue as central to protecting democratic values on campus. This clash has made the tampering allegations even more sensitive. Student groups on both sides have increased outreach through posters, social media campaigns, and local meetings. Videos circulating online show heated discussions outside major colleges after the results. DU poll booth tampering case.
DU poll booth tampering case: Outlook
The next hearing on December 16 will be crucial. The High Court’s order to preserve EVMs shows the matter is being taken seriously. Students expect further legal clarity in the coming months. For now, the controversy has kept the issue of DU poll booth tampering alive in campus conversations and public debates. The case has raised questions about how student elections are managed, and whether reforms may be needed in the future. The final outcome could shape not just the current DUSU leadership, but also the credibility of Delhi University’s electoral system for years ahead.