The Delhi High Court has put a hold on the suspension of several Jamia Millia Islamia students who were barred from campus for staging a protest allegedly without prior approval.
During the hearing on Tuesday, the court directed the university to set up a committee, supervised by the vice-chancellor, to address the matter. The court also stressed that student representatives should be included in the discussions.
Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma has asked the university to submit a report on the issue. The order came in response to a petition filed by four students challenging their suspension and campus ban by the university proctor.
The students’ counsel argued that they were engaged in a peaceful demonstration, while the university’s legal representatives, Advocates Amit Sahni and Kisley Mishra, claimed that no official permission had been granted for the protest. They also alleged that students caused damage to university property and were found sleeping outside the canteen, which was against campus regulations.
The controversy follows a series of incidents in February when some students protesting on campus were allegedly detained by the Delhi Police. Protesters claimed that several students were missing for hours, leading to further demonstrations. Eventually, all detained students were released after nearly 12 hours.
The court’s decision offers temporary relief to the suspended students while the matter is reviewed by the newly formed committee.
