Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court in its order dated February 27, has quashed the order of an Internal Complaints committee of Christ University, banning two students from their current studies for a period of one year and as well as debarring them from appearing in the semester examination. They were pursuing BA and LLB courses in the Christ University.
The two students had approached High Court challenging the order. They were punished for an alleged prank of sending an offending image on mobile phone to another student.
“In the facts of the case, the penalty of detention for one year as well as debarring them from appearing in the semester examination, in the instant case, different punishments can be imposed on the petitioners, which are not prescribed under the law. Therefore, compliance of principles of natural justice is necessary in the fact situation of the case. Therefore, the observance with principles of natural justice as incorporated in the regulation was necessary,” the court observed.
It further added that the enquiry appears to have been conducted in haste and it is pertinent to mention that three members, who were not part of the enquiry held on April 6, 2018 are parties to the enquiry report dated April 9, 2018. “The impugned orders dated May 8, 2018 & May 16, 2018 therefore cannot be sustained in the eye of law,” the order stated.
While quashing the order punishing the students, the court said that the University shall be at liberty to take action against the students after giving them a notice in terms of the regulation and giving them an opportunity to give a written reply as well as adduce oral as well as documentary evidence in accordance with procedure prescribed under the regulation.
DKS plea
The High Court on Thursday granted liberty to Water Resources Minister D.K. Shivakumar to seek extension on his appearance before the Enforcement Directorate.
The court was hearing a petition filed by the minister who has moved the court seeking directions to quash summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate in an illegal money transfer case. The court has adjourned the case to March 11
Bache Gowda case
The High Court has quashed the case against former minister Bache Gowda in connection with violation of election code of conduct during 2014 general elections.
He had approached the court seeking quashing the complaint registered against him with the Chikkaballapur Town Police Station alleging that he had distributed money during elections.
