DUSU Elections: High Court Directs Delhi University VC To Decide Representation Seeking 50% Reservation For Women

The Delhi High Court has directed the Vice Chancellor of Delhi University to decide a representation made to it back in October 2023 for reservation of 50% seats for women in DU Students Union (DUSU) elections.

The bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela noted that Petitioner had relied on J M Lyngdoh Committee Report of 2006, which recommend measures for the regulation of student body elections in India.

Petitioner's counsel also cited the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act 2023, which provides 1/3rd reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. He further pointed to Uttarakhand government's decision to reserve 50% seats for girls in student union elections across all state and private colleges and universities. 

Petitioner claimed he had been making representations to the University Grants Commission as well as the Central government since the past two years but, in vain. 

He had also sought an interim direction for constituting a committee for protection of women during the elections. He submitted that rampant violence during elections is a deterring factor for women representation.

DU's counsel Mohinder Rupal sought 3 weeks time to decide the issue. In view thereof, the Court disposed of the petition with a direction to the VC to decide petitioner's representation dated 25th October, 23 in accordance with law, as expeditiously as possible.

Case Title: Shabana Hussain v. Union of India