JNUTA to hold 'public hearing' to reflect upon investigation process

JNU Teachers Association which was critical of the university's high level committee enquiring into the controversial February 9 event is organising a "public hearing" to reflect upon the investigation process.

A panel including Justice (Retd) AP Shah, former Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court and Chairman of the Twentieth Law Commission; Warisha Farasat, Delhi-based lawyer previously with the International Center for Transitional Justice, New York, and Centre for Equity Studies, Delhi and Mrinal Satish, Associate Professor at National Law University Delhi, will ponder over the enquiry process and its findings tomorrow.

The event is being organised at the varsity's administration block which has been the venue of protest ever since JNU Students Union President Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested in connection with an event on campus against hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru during which anti-national slogans were allegedly raised.

"The panel will present its views on three major questions-can the 'high level enquiry (HLE) process initiated and conducted by the university administration be considered a proper enquiry with reference to the established norms and procedures of the varsity and the objective of seeking the truth?" Bikramaditya Choudhry, General Secretary, JNUTA said.

"Did the conduct of the committee and steps taken during the enquiry and after submission of its report uphold the principle of natural justice? Does the panel provide any legitimate basis for taking disciplinary action against students?" he added.

Bikramaditya further said, "the view of the teachers that this was not a legitimate enquiry process would be placed before the panel. The university administration would also be invited to present its perspective."

After the five-member panel, found them guilty of "violating university norms and discipline rules" show-cause notices were issued to 21 students on March 14 asking them to explain why disciplinary action should not be initiated against them.

The report of the five-member panel which was submitted on March 11 has pointed out lapses on part of the students as well as the administration.

Taking into account the role of outsiders in the controversial event, the university panel has found three students "guilty" of arousing communal, caste or regional feeling or creating disharmony on campus.

The varsity is yet to take a call on quantum of punishment to awarded to students in connection with the row.