MP HC issues notice to Govt on model code for student union polls

Jabalpur, Aug 9 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh High Court today issued notice to the state government for not preparing model code of conduct for student unions election as per the Supreme Court directive.

Hearing a petition by Mr Himanshu Sabharwal, son of Professor H S Sabharwal, who was killed during student violence last year, a division bench comprising Chief Justice A K Patnaik and Justice Ajit Singh directed the government to submit an affidavit by August 14 for conducting free and fair student union polls.

The court issued notices to Chancellor Balram Jakhar, the Higher Education Commissioner and deputy registrars of nine universities besides the Director General of Police, Bhopal, and sought reply.

The petitioner told the court the government had fixed August 29 and 30 for student unions election in all universities. However, no rules had been framed for ensuring good candidates in the election which was against the direction of the apex court.

The petition stated that during student unions election in Vikram University last year, ABVP and NSUI had fielded their candidates.

Both these organisations created a situation of political election in the campus besides creating an atmosphere of fear.

Prof Sabharwal, who was election incharge, was killed in violence during student unions election last year, while principals of other colleges were harassed.

The petition stated that the Supreme Court had directed to create an atmosphere for free and fair elections devoid of political and criminal elements with only suitable candidates taking part in it.

However, the government had not taken a decisive step in this regard.

The petitioner urged the court to issue directions to the government for following the directions of the apex court before starting election process.

State Advocate General R N Singh told the court that in view of the Supreme Court order, necessary guidelines had been issued to vice-chancellors and registrars of all the universities for conducting free and fair polls.

UNI