An inquiry panel set up by Jawaharlal Nehru University recommended on Monday the rustication of five students including Kanhaiya Kumar, Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya over a February 9 event on the campus where anti-national slogans were allegedly shouted.
Based on the panel’s inputs, the university issued showcause notices to 21 students for indiscipline on the day. The panel recommended punishment ranging from a fine to rustication for up to two semesters, sources said.
“The high-level committee has recommended rustication of five students after its investigation over a month’s time. However, the final call in this regard will be taken by the vice-chancellor and proctor’s office,” a senior official told news agency PTI.
March 16 was set as the deadline for the students to submit their replies, sources said. The panel was constituted on February 10, a day after the event to mark the death anniversary of 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru.
The university did not reveal the names of students sent notices. But they included the eight students debarred earlier in connection with the case and students about whom police sought information from the university, sources said.
“Khalid and Bhattacharya’s notices will be sent to jail,” said a source on the duo in custody over alleged sedition.
Officials said the decision was taken after vice-chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar convened a meeting to discuss the five-member panel’s findings with the deans of schools and special centres.
“There are standard provisions in the university rules to take action in such cases. The high-level inquiry committee recommendations are based on the rules of discipline and proper conduct of JNU,” an official said.
The university on March 11 revoked the academic suspension of eight students, including students’ union president Kanhaiya, after the committee submitted its findings.
“It was revoked because suspension was till the completion of inquiry. Now, the final punishment will be awarded,” another official said.
Write
a comment ...
