Delhi HC Asks Police To Provide Protection To JNU VC And Registrar, Directs No Protests Within 100 Meters Of Admin Block [Read Order]

Delhi High Court has directed Delhi Police to ensure that the functioning of the administrative block of the JNU is not locked down by the protesting students. Police is also directed to provide protection to the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar for entering the administrative block. The Single Bench of Justice Pratibha Singh noted that JNU being a functional University, the lockdown of the University building cannot be permitted. The Petitioner, in this case, had filed a sexual harassment complaint before the Internal Complaints Committee of the JNU. The Committee had recommended, among other things, that the Petitioner's application for registering in the Ph.D. programme should be reconsidered. She also simultaneously filed an appeal against the recommendations of the ICC and also made 3 representations before the Vice-Chancellor. However, she was neither afforded a hearing nor was given re-registration into the Ph.D. programme. Therefore, she moved the present writ petition before the court. The court cited the order dated 9/07/17 passed by the same court in JNU v. Commissioner of Police, wherein it was mentioned that if any protest has to be undertaken, the same would have to be beyond the 100 metres radius of the administrative block in a manner so as to not hamper the functioning of the University. Moreover, the said order had also observed that if the protest has taken the form of complete lockdown, then police entering the campus would be justified to ensure that the law and order is maintained in the campus. The court today asked the authorities to ensure compliance with the aforesaid order. It thereby directed that the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar and Administrative Staff would be permitted to function from the administrative office. It is also directed that the police shall give adequate protection to the VC and the Registrar, for entering the administrative block of the JNU. In addition to this, police is also directed to clear 100 meters area surrounding the administrative block, in order to ensure the same is accessible to the VC and the administrative staff. On September 12, the court had asked the Registrar to appear before it if the affidavit on behalf of the JNU is not filed. However the Registrar could not appear before the court on the subsequent designated dates. In today's hearing, the Registrar informed the court that he could not comply with the previous orders as there has been a complete lockdown of the JNU administrative office for the last more than one month. Register also informed the court that since the administrative block has been closed down completely, no decision could be taken on the said representation. Click here to download the Judgment

Delhi HC Asks Police To Provide Protection To JNU VC And Registrar, Directs No Protests Within 100 Meters Of Admin Block [Read Order]

Karan Tripathi

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