SC Revokes Suspension Orders Against 8 BHU Students: Asks University To Conduct Special Exams For Them [Read Order]

‘Special examinations be held for the semesters in which they were not allowed to appear’.

The Supreme Court on Thursday revoked suspension orders against eight students by Banaras Hindu University (BHU).

A bench comprising Justice Dipak Mishra, Justice Khanwilkar and Justice MM Shantanagoudar  also asked the university administration to conduct special examinations for the students by July 30, 2017, so that they may take the third semester examinations they were not allowed to take earlier because for their suspension.

The issue of discrimination against girl students by the university was also raised in the writ petition preferred by these suspended students. The court has not addressed the said issue in today’s order. Advocate Prashant Bhushan and Advocate Neha Rati appeared for the suspended students.

The suspended students and the registrar (academic) of the BHU were present in the court on Thursday as it was directed in the order issued on April 28.

On the said day itself, the bench had observed thus: “If the Court is satisfied, on the date the students appear, that there has been some kind of misconception, this Court may think of directing for special examinations to be held for the semesters in which they were not allowed to appear. We are saying this as the Court is concerned with regard to future of the young students.”

Background

Eight students of the university had sat for a dharna in the university campus demanding that their university library should be kept open for 24 hours. They also demanded that the hostels of UG and PG students be not vacated during the period of summer vacation and a canteen be operated on 24x7 basis on the university campus. They were suspended for conducting such a dharna, which made them miss their annual examinations of 2016 and their examination of 2017, stated to be held in April/May 2017.

The students then approached the apex court seeking revocation of the suspension orders and they had also  raised issue of discriminatory treatment towards girl students at the university hostel at BHU where unreasonable and unconstitutional restriction on girl students are being imposed and they are being told how to dress etc.

They also contended that the university authorities are compulsorily asking girl students to sign a document stating that they will not get involved in any dharna in girls’ hostel and BHU campus.

Read the Order here.