PIL In Allahabad High Court Seeks Action Against UP Cops For 'Assault' On Protesting Law Students At Barabanki's SRM University

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) plea has been moved in the Allahabad High Court seeking action against the UP Police officials for allegedly committing brutality against law students who were peacefully protesting against the running of 'unrecognised' law courses by Shri Ramswaroop Memorial University in the State's Barabanki district. The petition, filed by Advocate Ashish Kumar Singh, prays for the constitution of a judicial inquiry (headed by a retired Judge) to look into the incident of September 4 where students were allegedly subjected to 'merciless' beating and assault by the Uttar Pradesh Police personnel. The petitioner, an advocate by profession, has submitted that both male and female law students were beaten by the cops without provocation and that even male police personnel manhandled and assaulted women students in complete disregard of law, decency and dignity. Terming the alleged incident as a matter of 'serious constitutional concern', the PIL plea adds that the police's alleged action violated the students' fundamental Rights under Articles 14, 15, 19, and 21 of the Constitution. The petitioner further argues that the Government's decision to entrust the inquiry related to the alleged incident to senior police officials is arbitrary and contrary to the principles of natural justice. It allows a person to be a judge in his own cause, the PIL plea states. Significantly, the PIL also highlights that Shri Ramswaroop Memorial University is allegedly running law courses without due approval from the Bar Council of India, thereby jeopardising the careers of hundreds of students. Against this backdrop, the plea prays for the constitution of a judicial commission to investigate and recommend criminal prosecution and departmental action against the police personnel involved. It also prays for restraining Ramswaroop Memorial University and other institutions from running law courses without BCI recognition and ensuring medical treatment, compensation and rehabilitation of injured students. When the matter came up before a Bench of Justice Rajan Roy and Justice Manjive Shukla on September 8, it noted that though reliefs were sought against Ramswaroop University, it had not been arrayed as a party. Thus, the bench adjourned the matter to September 12 by allowing the petitioner in-person to array the University as respondent in the matter.

PIL In Allahabad High Court Seeks Action Against UP Cops For 'Assault' On Protesting Law Students At Barabanki's SRM University

Sparsh Upadhyay

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