This is an archive article published on December 17, 2024
Students accuse Pune’s FLAME University of cruelty to dogs; university denies charges
An assistant professor who is also the faculty advisor to the student-led Animal Welfare Committee at FLAME University was served a legal notice and animal feed was allegedly confiscated from her office in November.
The Animal Welfare Committee reportedly faced pressure from the management to relocate the dogs from campus to a shelter from 2022 to 2023. (File Photo)
A section of students and graduates of FLAME University, Pune, recently accused the private varsity’s administration of cruelty against dogs on the campus and also alleged that an assistant professor at the institute has been facing harassment over feeding the animals.
Sinjini Mukherjee, the assistant professor of Sociology who is also the faculty advisor to the student-led Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) at the institution, was served a legal notice by the university in November said her lawyer, and animal feed was allegedly confiscated from her office in a ‘raid’ the same month.
FLAME University has, however, denied the allegations of animal harassment on the campus and those against Mukherjee. “As a Jain-minority institution, Flame University upholds the highest respect for all forms of life, which is deeply rooted in our ethos. We disagree with all claims in question. As an institution with a strong track record of gender inclusivity and campus harmony, we find these claims unfounded and completely contrary to our values,” the university spokesperson told The Indian Express.
Nihaal Jogani, a former FLAME University student, said that dogs were being beaten up, forcibly relocated, and terrorised by security staff, allegedly on orders from the management. Jogani had lodged a police complaint last year against unknown people at the Paud Road station after a dog named Banana was brutally assaulted on the campus. The campus has around 45 dogs, he added.
“These actions not only violate Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals, 1960, which explicitly prohibits cruelty of these animals but also make a mockery of the university’s claimed values. In fact, relocating dogs subjects them to unnecessary pain, distress, and starvation,” said Jogani.
Ex-student Aarya Menon, who was the AWC president from 2022 to 2023, claimed that during her tenure, the committee faced pressure from the management to relocate the dogs from campus to a shelter, saying their presence hampered the mobility of students.
“We were informed that if we did not take action, the management would intervene and relocate the dogs. We explained that such relocations would create a vacuum, encouraging other dogs from surrounding areas to move in. This could lead to greater safety issues for students. Moreover, we highlighted that relocating these animals is illegal, but our concerns were dismissed,” said Menon.
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AWC was a part of the student council till 2016-17. It now operates separately as a student group due to internal tensions in the council, said students.
The current students of the FLAME University, however, were unwilling to talk about the atrocities meted out to the dogs on the campus. “I have witnessed blatant animal cruelty on campus grounds. However, I am not a member of the AWC on campus. I have witnessed the complete lack of cooperation and the kind of harassment they have to endure to provide care for these campus animals, to the extent that it is beginning to impact their mental health,” an undergraduate student told The Indian Express on condition of anonymity.
FLAME University Registrar Virender Sharma said in an email to students in August that they were mandated to feed animals at a specified dog shelter to minimise dog bite and attack incidents. However, the institution refused to provide further details on the number of dog attack cases. The registrar had mentioned that the measure was taken amid a rise in dog attack incidents on students, faculty, and visitors. A student also said that incidents of dog bites have increased recently.
On November 29, FLAME University’s security guards allegedly confiscated animal feed from Mukherjee’s office. Her lawyer Jhuma Sen confirmed that she was sent a legal notice by FLAME University on November 8. Mukherjee refused to comment under legal advice.
Soham Shah is a Correspondent with The Indian Express, based in Pune. A journalism graduate with a background in fact-checking, he brings a meticulous and research-oriented approach to his current reporting.
Professional Background
Role: Correspondent coverig education and city affairs in Pune.
Specialization: His primary beat is education, but he also maintains a strong focus on civic issues, public health, human rights, and state politics.
Key Strength: Soham focuses on data-driven reporting on school and college education, government reports, and public infrastructure.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
His late 2025 work highlights a transition from education-centric reporting to hard-hitting investigative and human-rights stories:
1. Investigations & Governance
"Express Impact: Mother's name now a must to download birth certificate from PMC site" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant policy change by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) following his earlier reports on gender inclusivity in administrative documents.
"44-Acre Mahar Land Controversy: In June, Pune official sought land eviction at Pawar son firm behest" (Nov 9, 2025): An investigative piece on real estate irregularities involving high-profile political families.
2. Education & Campus Life
Faculty crisis at SPPU hits research, admin work: 62% of govt-sanctioned posts vacant, over 75% in many depts (Sept 12, 2025): An investigative piece on professor vacancies at Savitribai Phule Pune University.
"Maharashtra’s controversial third language policy: Why National Curriculum Framework recommends a third language from Class 6" (July 2): This detailed piece unpacks reasons behind why the state's move to introduce a third language from class 1 was controversial.
"Decline in number of schools, teachers in Maharashtra but student enrolment up: Report" (Jan 2025): Analyzing discrepancies in the state's education data despite rising student numbers.
3. Human Rights & Social Issues
"Aanchal Mamidawar was brave after her family killed her boyfriend" (Dec 17, 2025): A deeply personal and hard-hitting opinion piece/column on the "crime of love" and honor killings in modern India.
"'People disrespect the disabled': Meet the man who has become face of racist attacks on Indians" (Nov 29, 2025): A profile of a Pune resident with severe physical deformities who became the target of global online harassment, highlighting issues of disability and cyber-bullying.
Signature Style
Soham is known for his civil-liberties lens. His reporting frequently champions the rights of the marginalized—whether it's students fighting for campus democracy, victims of regressive social practices, or residents struggling with crumbling urban infrastructure (as seen in his "Breathless Pune" contributions). He is adept at linking hyper-local Pune issues to larger national conversations about law and liberty.
X (Twitter): @SohamShah07 ... Read More
