Punjab and Haryana High Court: In a writ petition filed by the petitioner seeking direction for Punjab University-respondent to strictly adhere to the Senate election schedule, the Division Bench of Sheel Nagu, CJ.* and Sanjiv Berry, J., held that academic activities could not be compromised at the altar of electoral or political aspirations. Accordingly, the Court disposed of the petition and directed Punjab University Senate elections to be conducted expeditiously.
Background
In 2024, grievance regarding the non-holding of elections to the Senate of Panjab University as mandated under Section 11 of the Panjab University Act, 1947 (‘Panjab University Act’) was raised. Under the said Act, the Senate is vested with the management and superintendence of all affairs, concerns and property of the University.
The petitioner sought a direction for notifying the Senate elections, which were last held in 2021. The term of the elected body expired on 31-10-2024, and no elections had occurred since then.
In October 2025, widespread amendments restructuring the Senate were introduced in the Panjab University Act. However, these amendments were withdrawn in November 2025 and on the very same day, the Central Government issued notifications reserving the right to notify the constitution of the Senate at a subsequent date. These notifications were modified and reiterated on the same day. Ultimately, these notifications were also rescinded.
The respondent submitted that the process for holding the Senate elections shall be commenced as expeditiously as possible and informed that due to non-holding of Senate elections, certain agitations were taking place in the University, resulting in disruptions to its academic activities.
Analysis and Decision
The Court stated that the students’ admission to the University by their parents was fundamentally for the purpose of receiving education and thus the prime focus of all students should remain on acquisition of knowledge. Further, the Court stated that “Academic activities cannot be compromised or sacrificed at the altar of electoral or political aspirations.’
The Court, thus, disposed of the petition and directed that elections to the Senate be conducted as expeditiously as possible.
[Harpreet Singh Dua v. Panjab University, CM No. 16626 of 2025, decided on 14-11-2025]
*Judgement authored by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu
Advocates who appeared in this case:
For the Petitioner: R. Kartikeya, R. Akanksha, Sidhi Bansal, Kartik Patial and Ridhi Bansal, Advocates
For the Respondent: Satya Pal Jain, Addl. Solicitor General of India, Neha Sharma, Senior Panel Counsel, Akshay Kumar Goel and Saurav Verma, Addl. Advocate General, Punjab