Govt sits on Central query on Toms College of Engineering, Nehru College
Thiruvananthapuam: The Union Human Resource Ministry has sought a report from the AICTE on the controversial incidents in the Toms College of Engineering, Mattakara, Kottayam, and Nehru College of Engineering and Research, Pampady. But the state government is yet to reply to the query from the AICTE on the suicide of Jishnu Pranoy of Nehru College and the incidents of sexual harassment in Toms College. The director (administration) of the AICTE had sent a letter to Mr B. Srinivas, higher education principal secretary, on January 19, stating that the report was being sought on the directive of the Human Resources Ministry.
The AICTE could proceed against the two colleges and give sanction for transferring students from Toms College only on the basis of the report. The inquiry committee appointed by the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University had found that Toms College had received the approval from the university after faking the details on infrastructure. It had also suggested the transfer of the students to other colleges. The university had decided not to extend the affiliation of the college for the next academic year. Mr M. Shajer Khan, state secretary, All-India Save Education Committee, criticised the failure of the higher education department to give the reply on time and said it would help the managements.
No anticipatory bail for PRO
The district principal sessions court here on Thursday rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Sanjith K Viswanath, Nehru College PRO and the second accused in the Jishnu suicide case. The judge rejected the bail plea noting that the accused has political and financial clout and could interfere in the course of investigation and tamper with evidence. Sanjith's lawyer claimed that his client was not present at the college on January 6, the day when Jishnu was allegedly mentally and physically tortured by college officials on false charges of copying during examination.
However, the public prosecutor said that the prosecution had presented ample evidences before the court while it sought the rejection of the anticipatory bail plea. "A student of the college has given the statement that he saw Jishnu coming out of a room with blood on his face. When enquired, Jishnu told this student that he was beaten by Sanjith. This statement has been recorded by the special investigation team," the public prosecutor said.
Approach Supreme Court, say Jishnu’s parents
The parents of Jishnu Pranoy, student of Nehru College, who committed suicide, have asked the state government to approach the Supreme Court against the High Court order granting anticipatory bail to Krishna Das, college chairman. Jishnu’s mother Mahija said, “we depend on the state government to give justice to my son and we will write to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who has already promised to help us approach the SC for further action. We are disappointed by the High Court order holding that there was no evidence for abetting the suicide,” she added. Jishnu’s father Ashokan said that the government should take action against the cops who have destroyed the evidence related to his son’s death.
