CUSAT Stampede | Kerala High Court Seeks Report On Enquiries Conducted By Police, University Into Deaths

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday sought report on the enquiries conducted over stampede deaths at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) Campus on November 25, 2023. 

The order came in response to KSU President Aloshius Xavier approaching the High Court for a judicial inquiry into the stampede deaths that occurred at CUSAT campus, claiming lives of 3 engineering students and one outsider, during a music concert that was to be conducted at its open air theatre as part of the tech-fest.

The petitioner alleged that the stampede had occurred due to several lapses on the part of the University and the investigation team was not conducting a fair investigation.

Taking note of the submissions of the Additional Advocate General and the Standing Counsel for the University Aravindakshan Pillai that a judicial enquiry may not be ordered at this juncture when the official agencies and the University had commenced their own enquiries, Justice Devan Ramachandran observed:

"The incident in question has perhaps never happened in Kerala before, but it shocks conscience of collective community because of horrible aftermath it has left on collective conscience. Brilliant lives who would've been treasures to the nation were lost, and obviously, answers will have to be found so that solutions can then be put in place not in the manner of a pavilonian reaction as is normally done, but with integrity and certainty in future". 

The court was of the view that while the incident appeared to be an accident, it was manifest that there was systemic failure, as well. 

"The authorities of the University have specific duties and responisibilites, particularly when congregations of students are to occur within campus. The role of the police and security authorities will also have to be looked into, not in this case alone, but as a guideline for the future also lest such accidents happen again which is unthinkable".

It was added that since the event had been conducted by students, it was important to ensure that no kind of "blame game" was resorted to by any of the stakeholders. 

"The event is stated to have been organized by the students themselves, and therefore, utmost care must be taken by every stakeholder that the minds of the young people involved are not subjected to blame game or guilt unless there are other circumstances projected in future. This must also be kept in mind by all stakeholders".

The matter has been posted for further consideration on December 14, 2023. 

The plea has been moved through Advocates Rebin Vincent Gralan, Dinesh G Warrier, and Vimal Vijay

Case Title: Aloshius Xavier v. State of Kerala & Ors.

Case Number: W.P.(C) 40569/2023