ABVP leader takes over as DUSU president; NSUI calls it contempt of court

Delhi University Students' Union vice-president Shakti Singh of the (Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad) ABVP took over as the students body's president, even as the (National Students Union of India) NSUI on Wednesday, December 20, said the matter is sub-judice and accused him of forcing his way into the office.

The Delhi High Court Tuesday dismissed a plea by Congress-backed National Students' Union of India leader Sunny Chillar challenging the election of DUSU ex-president Ankiv Baisoya for allegedly furnishing a fake bachelor's degree to get admission in the university.

According to the Lyngdoh Committee Guidelines, which are applicable to the DUSU polls, "In the event of the office of any major post of office bearer falling vacant within two months of elections, re-elections should be conducted; otherwise the vice-president may be promoted to the post of president." The RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) cited the above guidelines as Singh assumed office on Tuesday.

"The matter is not pending in the high court. The court has said there will be no fresh polls which means that Shakti Singh will be the president now. He entered office on Tuesday and took over as the president," said a member of the ABVP.

The NSUI alleged that Singh barged into the office with his men by breaking open the lock and manhandling the security staff. They also claimed that he abused the varsity staff who intervened.

"How can he assume the office when the matter is still sub-judice? Has the university received any court order? The act by Singh is sheer contempt of court," they said.

Singh dismissed the NSUI charges as "allegations" and said, "The court had ordered on Tuesday that fresh elections will not be held and Lyngdoh Committee guidelines will be adhered to which state that vice president should be promoted to the post of president. The NSUI is making false allegations," he said.

He said he had a meeting with a proctorial board on Wednesday and said he ill work for the welfare of DU students The Delhi University cancelled admission of Baisoya on November 14 after receiving a letter from the Thiruvalluvar University, confirming that his bachelor's degree was fake.

Baisoya was also suspended from the ABVP and an inquiry into allegations that he got admission in the varsity on the basis of a fake marksheet was ordered. Police have also registered an FIR in the case.

The DUSU elections were held in September.