Will not reply to show-cause notices, probe report spurious': JNU students

New Delhi: JNU students who have been served show-cause notices by the varsity in connection with the controversial February 9 event have decided not to reply to the notice, terming the findings of the probe committee report as "spurious".

Refusing to accept the findings of the five-member probe panel, the students maintained that there can't be a 'show-cause' without 'show-crime'. The students had passed a resolution in this regard at a council meeting held late on Wednesday night.

Read: Rusticate Kanhaiya Kumar, recommends top JNU panel

"We have communicated to the administration, how the committee has violated the principles of natural justice in the enquiry process. They have neither addressed our concerns nor has taken any step regarding this. Without addressing these concerns, no free and fair enquiry is possible," JNUSU Vice President Shehla Rashid Shora said.

"The students have been issued show-cause notices which hold them guilty. They have not even been given the entire report, despite repetitive demands. The accused students have not even been told the specific charges against them. When they don't know the crime what explanation will they give," she added.

The JNU students union has resolved to oppose any disciplinary action based upon the findings of the allegedly 'partial' and 'biased' enquiry.

Also read: JNU panel finds Kanhaiya, 20 others guilty of holding Afzal Guru event

The students have also alleged that the High Level Enquiry Committee (HLEC) is operating on the same pattern of the Hyderabad University's enquiry which 'led to institutional murder of Rohith Vemula'.

After a high-level committee of the university, found them 'guilty' of 'violating university norms and discipline rules' show-cause notices were issued to 21 students on March 14 asking them to explain why disciplinary action should not be initiated against them.

They have been given time till tomorrow to reply to the notices following which a final decision regarding the 'quantum of punishment' will be taken by the administration.

Also read: Kanhaiya-Kejriwal meeting cancelled as JNUSU president fails to reach on time

The students have called for a protest demo at the administration block tomorrow against the findings of the report and the functioning of the committee.

The students had earlier refused to depose before the probe committee demanding that the enquiry be started afresh. The varsity, however, turned down the demand and maintained that the students will be given three chances to appear before the disciplinary committee and, if they fail to do so, the committee will finalise its recommendations on the basis of evidence available, eyewitness accounts, students' deposition, if any, and other material available on hand.

The administration has also communicated to the students that if they do not reply to the show-cause notice, ‘it will be assumed that they did not have anything to say in the matter and the office will proceed further in the matter’.

The report of the five-member panel, which was submitted on March 11, has pointed out lapses on part of the students as well as the administration.

Taking into account the role of outsiders in the controversial event, the university panel has found Umar and Anirban ‘guilty’ of arousing communal, caste or regional feeling or creating disharmony among students.

While no specific charges have been pointed out against students’ union president Kanhaiya Kumar, who is facing sedition charges in connection with the event, the university has found ABVP member Saurabh Sharma ‘guilty’ of blocking traffic on February 9, the day of the controversial event.

The university had on March 11 revoked the academic suspension of eight students including Kanhaiya after the probe panel submitted its report.

The probe panel is believed to have recommended rustication of students’ union president Kanhaiya Kumar, Umar, Anirban and two other students for their alleged role in the event.

Kanhaiya, Umar and Anirban were arrested on sedition charge in connection with the programme. Kanhaiya was released on bail from Tihar on March 3 while Umar and Anirban are still in judicial custody.