Delhi HC upset over luxury cars in DUSU campaigns
The High Court stated that Delhi University student union elections, now an annual event, had evolved in a concerning manner, troubling responsible institutions and citizens alike.
‘Most Disappointed With Students’: Delhi HC Slams Luxury Cars in DUSU Election Campaigns
The Delhi High Court on Friday, September 19, 2025, voiced strong disapproval over the extravagant use of luxury vehicles during the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) election campaigns. The court’s criticism came after reports and evidence showed candidates using cars like Bentleys, Rolls Royces — and even JCB construction vehicles — to showcase their campaign might, raising eyebrows and concerns about propriety and ethics in student politics.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela remarked sharply that the candidates, as well as the election organisers, appeared to have ignored previous judicial guidance. “It is disappointing that despite last year’s judicial order, which withheld poll results due to defacement of public property, the same mistakes have been repeated,” the judges observed.
The High Court expressed that the spectacle surrounding the elections had become increasingly extravagant and concerning, questioning whether students were focusing on leadership and governance or merely on showmanship. The Bench noted that such behaviour was not just a problem for the University administration but also a cause for concern for every responsible citizen who values democratic principles.
Luxury cars, the Bench said, send the wrong message about student elections. What should ideally be a platform for debate, ideas, and constructive engagement had instead become a display of wealth and excess. JCBs and high-end cars, they added, were being used to create visual impact rather than promote meaningful discourse, which undermined the spirit of student democracy.
In their observations, the judges emphasized that responsible campaigning involves respecting rules, avoiding damage to public property, and ensuring fairness. “We are most disappointed with students, who should ideally lead by example and demonstrate accountability,” the Bench said, highlighting the mismatch between expectations from future leaders and the reality of current campaign practices.
The High Court also indirectly underscored the role of Delhi University authorities, stating that organisers must take proactive measures to ensure adherence to lawful and ethical campaigning. The Bench suggested that lax enforcement and oversight could embolden candidates to indulge in such extravagant displays year after year.
This latest episode has sparked discussions across the University and social media, with students, faculty, and alumni weighing in on the ethics of campaign practices. Many expressed concern that the focus on luxury vehicles and visual grandeur overshadows the real purpose of DUSU elections — to cultivate leadership, debate, and representation among students.
As student elections in Delhi University continue to capture nationwide attention every year, the High Court’s remarks serve as a stern reminder that democracy, even at the campus level, demands responsibility, integrity, and fairness. The judges’ clear message was that wealth and spectacle should not replace ideas and accountability in student governance.
The Delhi High Court’s observations are likely to influence how the University and election organisers enforce rules in future DUSU elections, setting a precedent for more disciplined, ethical, and idea-focused campaigns, steering student politics back toward its intended purpose.