Ragging death: JU to allow accused to defend themselves
Times of India | 7 July 2024
Kolkata: Jadavpur University will send show-cause notices to those accused in the ragging case in which a first-year student had died last year. While ratifying the punishments recommended by the anti-ragging committee, the university’s Executive Council that met on Friday decided to implement the recommendations after giving the accused an opportunity to defend themselves.
EC took a resolution after a meeting that present, ex-students and outsiders will be given an opportunity to “respond” to show-cause and if anyone seeks any available material including their deposition in any form, it will be provided by the authority as per law.
JU anti-ragging committee based on the finding of the anti-ragging squad had recommended permanent rustication of four students who had direct involvement in the incident on Aug 9, 2023. Other recommendations are rustication of five students for four semesters and expulsion from JU hostel of students who were found to be “directly associated with criminal conspiracy to rag”. The panel recommended for one semester rustication and permanent expulsion from JU hostel for 25 students.
Some students gheraoed EC members, including officiating VC Bhaskar Gupta till 3 am, demanding disclosure of footage of depositions before show-cause notices are issued. Gupta indicated that processes to take action against the accused have been initiated but that will be implemented as per law.