Students vs teachers? Calcutta High Court orders probe amid row at state-aided college Sagar Mahavidyalaya

Competing allegations of misconduct

The legal proceedings were initiated by Debjoti Patra and others, who identify as students of the college. The petitioners alleged before the Calcutta High Court that the state-aided college’s teachers engaged in misconduct and dereliction of duty by refusing to follow pre-fixed routines and official notification.

They further claimed to have been subjected to “threat and abuse” by teachers in an attempt to suppress their grievances.

The teachers (respondents), meanwhile, claimed they were being victimised on various grounds. They alleged that the teacher-in-charge or principal is the “kingpin” behind the complaints, asserting that the administration “foisted” individuals as complainants who were not actually students at the time of the alleged incident. Furthermore, the teachers argued that “forged and fabricated documents” were utilised to further the principal’s vested interests.

Court’s directions to state

• It is for the West Bengal government to make a decision on this issue and communicate the same to the college within a reasonable period of time.
• The state government will not only look into the allegations levelled by the students, but also into the apprehension of the teachers that the students have been unlawfully and illegally foisted, relying on forged and fabricated documents to further the vested interests of the principal of the said college.
• The government will also decide on the issue of the duty hours as raised by the errant teachers.
• The state will, upon adequate prior notice of hearing, conduct a hearing of one representative from among the petitioners and, similarly, one representative from among the teachers who wish to oppose, and a representative on behalf of the college.
• This hearing will be conducted and concluded by May 20, and the state, upon conclusion of such hearing, will pass a reasoned order by June 15.