The Delhi High Court has ruled that only students with at least 75% attendance can stand for the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections, after a student’s nomination was rejected for falling short of this requirement.

Justice Mini Pushkarna delivered the order in response to a petition filed by Muskan, a third-year BA (Programme) student at Satyawati College, University of Delhi. Muskan’s nomination for the DUSU elections was excluded from the final list on September 11, 2025 after college authorities said she did not meet the attendance threshold.

The student argued in court that she had regularly attended classes and had not actually fallen short. Her counsel highlighted that administrative lapses resulted in her attendance being incorrectly marked under multiple roll numbers, causing an artificially low attendance record.

Muskan was first assigned Roll No. 683, then Roll No. 688, and finally, in December 2024, Roll No. 689, after numerous complaints. Despite these issues, the college maintained that her attendance was only about 45%.

COURT’S OBSERVATION AND DIRECTIVES

Justice Mini Pushkarna stated, “Accordingly, it is evident that a student, who does not meet the criteria of having minimum 75% attendance, cannot be allowed to stand for elections,” confirming the strict application of the attendance rule.

The court emphasised that colleges are within their rights to reject the nomination of any candidate who does not fulfil the minimum attendance requirement.

The college and election officer argued that Muskan had failed to meet the eligibility standard based on recommendations of the Lyngdoh Committee, which set the 75% attendance mandate for student election candidates.

During proceedings, it was also disclosed that Muskan had filed nominations for both President and Secretary posts before withdrawing her candidacy for Secretary, leaving only her presidential nomination for consideration.

OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT EVIDENCE AND FINAL RULING

The High Court directed that Muskan be given a personal hearing before the Grievance Committee, composed of five assistant professors, on the same day at 3:30 pm.

She was allowed to provide any proof of her attendance, and her attendance was to be recalculated in her presence, with the outcome of the recalculation to be communicated immediately.

The court further ordered that if Muskan met the minimum requirement, her nomination must be accepted and she should be allowed to campaign until 9:00 pm that evening.

However, it was also made clear that, “In case the attendance of the petitioner is below the minimum 75% attendance criteria, the petitioner shall be communicated the said fact. In that eventuality, needless to state, the nomination of the petitioner shall stand rejected,” as stated in the court’s order.

The ruling reinforces the application of the Lyngdoh Committee’s recommendations and the university’s election notice, reinforcing that only those meeting attendance norms are eligible to participate in student elections at Delhi University.

– Ends

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