1 week ago
Retired judge to lead Jadavpur University vandalism probe
Jadavpur University is investigating violence and vandalism on its campus.
The university chose retired judge Pranab Kumar Chatterjee to lead the investigation.
The decision came after an RSS-affiliated teachers’ group asked for a retired high court or Supreme Court judge.
The committee will begin meeting on August 27.
It will study CCTV recordings and statements from people involved.
The investigation concerns alleged attacks by ABVP supporters on August 20.
It will also examine an earlier alleged attack on ABVP leader Nikhil Das.
The committee will look into claims that women were threatened and that a former vice-chancellor helped some people enter the campus.
Another university vice-chancellor withdrew from the committee because of responsibilities at his own institution.
Jadavpur University appointed retired Calcutta High Court judge Pranab Kumar Chatterjee to head its probe into campus vandalism.
Vice-chancellor Chiranjib Bhattacharjee announced the appointment during a meeting with students on Monday.
The appointment followed a demand from the RSS teachers’ organisation Akhil Bharatiya Rashtriya Shaikshik Mahasangh.
The committee will hold its first meeting on August 27 and review CCTV footage and other accounts.
The probe will examine alleged attacks, property damage, threats toward women, and claims involving former vice-chancellor Buddhadeb Sau.
- Who
- Jadavpur University, retired judge Pranab Kumar Chatterjee, the ABRSM, alleged ABVP supporters, Left student supporters, and former vice-chancellor Buddhadeb Sau.
- What
- A committee led by Chatterjee will investigate alleged campus vandalism, violence, threats toward women, and claims about facilitated entry to the campus.
- Where
- Jadavpur University campus.
- When
- The alleged incidents occurred around August 20; Chatterjee’s appointment was announced on Monday, and the committee’s first meeting is scheduled for August 27.
- Why
- The probe follows alleged clashes and vandalism, including a reported attack on ABVP’s university unit president and subsequent alleged campus raids.
Campus complainants’ allegations
ABVP-linked account and response
What triggered the incidents
Campus complainants’ allegations
Left student supporters are alleged to have attacked ABVP’s JU unit president Nikhil Das on August 19, according to the reported account preceding the campus raids.
ABVP-linked account and response
Suspected ABVP supporters are alleged to have entered the campus twice on August 20, attacked students, and damaged property, according to complaints the committee will examine.
Conduct on campus
Campus complainants’ allegations
Complaints allege that attackers made obscene gestures toward women and threatened to outrage their modesty.
ABVP-linked account and response
The article does not provide a detailed response from ABVP to these allegations.
Probe leadership
Campus complainants’ allegations
The ABRSM sought a committee headed by a retired Calcutta High Court or Supreme Court judge and welcomed consideration of that demand through the appointment of Chatterjee.
ABVP-linked account and response
ABRSM leader Bhaskar Sardar said the organisation would comment after reviewing the committee’s composition in detail.
Key facts
- Probe chair
- Retired Calcutta High Court judge Pranab Kumar Chatterjee
- Appointing authority
- Jadavpur University vice-chancellor Chiranjib Bhattacharjee
- First meeting
- August 27
- Evidence to be reviewed
- CCTV footage and accounts submitted by concerned parties
- Reported incidents
- Suspected raids at about 1am and 2pm on August 20
- Earlier alleged attack
- ABVP JU unit president Nikhil Das was allegedly attacked around 9pm on August 19
- Committee change
- Baba Saheb Ambedkar Education University vice-chancellor Arunasish Goswami withdrew from the committee
Quotes
Arunasish Goswami
Vice-chancellor of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Education University
“A convocation will be held on our campus after a decade. So I could not be part of the committee.”
telegraphindia.com
“The committee was announced on Friday. It was supposed to start its task immediately.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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