JNU panel submits report on students’ punishment in Afzal Guru row

The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Monday said the Appellate Authority which heard the appeals of the varsity students who were penalised in connection with the controversial February 9 event has submitted its final report.

“In the light of the recommendation of the High Level Enquiry Committee and subsequently the recommendation of the panel constituted to assist the Appellate Authority, the Vice Chancellor put his mind to various dimensions of the concerned issue to come to a conclusion and has taken the final decision on the appeals made by the students,” a university statement said.

“The authority after thorough analysis of each case, has issued the final report to be implemented by the Chief Proctor,” the statement added.

Senior university officials, however, refused to comment when asked about the contents of the report.

JNU was at the centre of a controversy in February this year because of an event on campus against hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru at which anti-national slogans were allegedly raised.

Three students including the students union chief Kanhaiya Kumar were arrested in a sedition case over the event and are now out on bail. Twenty-one JNU students were slapped with varied punishments ranging from rustication, hostel debarment to financial penalty on basis of the probe by the HLEC which found them guilty of violation of discipline norms.

The students had gone on an indefinite hunger strike against the decision which lasted for 16 days. As the varsity refused to relent and withdraw the punitive action proposed against the students despite their failing health, some students moved the Delhi High Court challenging the action.

Following this, the High Court issued directions to JNUSU to immediately withdraw the hunger strike and to not launch any fresh agitation. It had stayed action against the students till their appeals have been decided by the appellate authority.

JNU had then formed a four-member committee to hear appeals of those who had been found guilty of indiscipline by the varsity probe panel.