Delhi High Court issues rulings on student elections, PILs, and police conduct

The Delhi High Court issued several rulings and observations regarding legal procedures and police conduct. In a decision concerning the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections, the court held that membership in a political party’s student wing does not disqualify a candidate from contesting elections.

Regarding public interest litigations (PILs), the court expressed concern over advocates filing petitions in their own names without active involvement in the underlying work. Additionally, a PIL seeking an inquiry into conflicting reports of a police lathi-charge during NEET-related protests was dismissed, as the court ruled the matter did not fall within PIL jurisdiction.

The court also addressed police accountability and protest rights. It criticized the “lackadaisical attitude” of the police in a murder case where a witness turned hostile, directing an inquiry into the matter. Furthermore, the court declined an urgent listing for a petition by the Kshatriya Karni Sena, which challenges the Delhi Police’s refusal to permit a protest at Jantar Mantar against reservation and certain University Grants Commission regulations.