Ambedkar University to revoke 3 students’ suspension; Delhi HC bars them from protests pending fresh inquiry
Three students who were suspended for a year and barred from entering the campus on March 5 moved the Delhi High Court against the action.
Anan Bijo, Nadia and Harsh Choudhary were on March 5 suspended for a year, barred from entering the university campus. (File photo) The suspension of three students of Dr BR Ambedkar University (AUD) and a campus ban imposed on them for allegedly violating the code of discipline related to ragging and bullying will be revoked, the varsity informed the Delhi High Court on Tuesday.
However, the university expressed apprehensions that a few students, who “created a ruckus” on the campus after the three students were suspended, might again resort to demonstrations. Justice Vikas Mahajan then directed the three students, who challenged the action taken against them before the court, not to take part in any protest or demonstration related to the matter, pending fresh inquiry.
Anan Bijo, Nadia, and Harsh Choudhary were suspended on March 5 for a year. They were barred from entering the university campus and warned of rustication on further violations. As of March 21, the university had revoked the suspension of five other students who had been issued such orders.
The petitioner students, represented by advocates Abhik Chimni and Pranjal Abrol, argued they were suspended without being given showcause notices, statements of charges, a notice of disciplinary proceedings, or the opportunity of a reasonable hearing.
The AUD counsel, Mohinder Rupal, informed the court that since no showcause notice was issued to the suspended students, it was ready to consider the cases of the students “de novo (afresh)”, and pending the fresh inquiry, they would be allowed to attend the classes.
Rupal, however, submitted that the suspended students had entered the campus on Monday as there was a commemorative function to mark Ambedkar Jayanti. He added that the university wanted the students to sign an undertaking that they would not take part in any protest or demonstration related directly or indirectly to the incident being inquired into.
The undertaking, as seen by The Indian Express, also stipulates that the three students’ visit to the campus “shall be strictly limited to their classrooms, library, computer labs and faculty for their academic pursuit and their course”.
Justice Mahajan, addressing the students’ counsel, remarked orally, “You’re there to study…should think of their parents also.”
Justice Mahajan also included a part of the undertaking’s condition in his order, cautioning that “petitioners will maintain strict discipline” and that they should not take part in any protest or demonstration, directly or indirectly related to the ongoing inquiry against them.
The vice-chancellor, meanwhile, has directed the committee to complete its inquiry within six weeks after the issuance of showcause notices.
The three students have missed 41 days of college, other academic commitments including research paper submissions and presentations, and written exams in several subjects.
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