Jadavpur University to have more CCTVs, 32 more guards, and security audit by Kolkata Police: Bengal govt submits report to Calcutta HC

According to the report, a proposal for installing 70 CCTV units has been cleared. “The proposal for ‘Supply, Installation, Testing and Commissioning of CCTV Surveillance System at Main Campus and Salt Lake Campus of Jadavpur University’ comprising 70 CCTV units at an estimated cost of Rs 68,62,663 was duly approved. The Finance department accorded expenditure clearance during the meeting,” it stated.

A proposal to increase security personnel on campus, including hiring ex-servicemen, has also been accepted. “The proposal for the engagement of 32 security personnel from among ex-servicemen, as recommended by the Executive Council of Jadavpur University, was accepted in principle. The Higher Education department has been directed to forward the said proposal to the Finance department for necessary budgetary concurrence,” the report added.

The Kolkata Police (South Suburban division) will conduct a comprehensive security audit of both campuses, including the hostels. The compliance report affirmed the state government’s “joint and continued commitment to ensuring a secure, disciplined and conducive environment within the university premises.”

Speaking to The Indian Express, Deputy Commissioner of Police, South Suburban Division, Bidisha Kalita said, “We have already submitted a report. There was a meeting with the Education department and Finance department where the Police department and representatives from the university were also present, and security measures were discussed.”

The division bench of Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Smita Das De had in August directed the university to file an affidavit on the meeting, its resolutions and the locations identified for CCTV installation.

A public interest litigation (PIL) had been filed in March before the bench of Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam and Justice Chaitali Chatterjee Dutta. Advocate Soham Das sought adequate CCTV coverage, police pickets on campus and a ban on certain events.

On March 1, students agitating for campus elections allegedly climbed onto Education Minister Bratya Basu’s car near the open-air theatre as he attended the AGM of a pro-Trinamool teachers’ association. As the vehicle exited, it hit a student, prompting the police on March 12 to seek space on campus for an outpost and barracks. The PIL followed soon after.