Delhi’s Hindu College suspends 15 students for ‘financial fraud’

The notices signed by the principal, as seen by HT, were dated May 4 but the students alleged that they only received them on May 8

The Delhi University’s Hindu College has suspended 15 students for financial fraud during the college’s annual cultural fest, Mecca’23, and 27 others for protesting, students alleged on Wednesday.

The college hosted its annual fest on April 27 and 28. “Officials said that notices were issued to around 40 students, out of which two students received notices for both counts. However, we only know of 30 students who received the notice,” said a student, requesting anonymity. (HT Archive)

The notices signed by the principal, as seen by HT, were dated May 4 but the students alleged that they only received them on May 8.

The college hosted its annual fest on April 27 and 28. “Officials said that notices were issued to around 40 students, out of which two students received notices for both counts. However, we only know of 30 students who received the notice,” said a student, requesting anonymity.

Anju Srivastava, principal of Hindu College, did not respond to queries regarding the matter.

Around 27 students were given notice for “gross misconduct and extremely inappropriate behaviour” during the protest while 15 students were served notice for “financial fraud or cheating” during the fest. The students who received the notice have been suspended for two months.

“On April 20, we protested because they wanted to reduce the number of days for the fest. We protested as the principal refused to speak to us. Students made a chain around her so that she would talk to us. However, they called the police after which the students apologised. The matter was resolved and Mecca was conducted,” said another student.

As per the two notices seen by HT, students will have to pay the fine by May 12, failing which they will not be allowed to appear for the semester examination.

The notice issued to the students for protesting said that the “gross misconduct and extremely inappropriate behaviour” has brought “acute embarrassment and humiliation to the college. “You were a part of the mob that clung to the gate(s)... when the principal managed to exit, you again blocked the movement of the car... you shouted humiliating slogans,” the notice said.

The notice served to students for financial fraud said that many vendors protested in front of the principal’s office on April 27 and 28, alleging “financial fraud by the student organisers”. The vendors complained they were being charged exorbitantly for putting up stalls and heavy loss was incurred by them, according to the notice.

Meanwhile, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) staged a protest on Wednesday evening and asked the college to withdraw the notices. “The Hindu College administration should immediately withdraw the decision to suspend the students and impose the penalty,” said ABVP Delhi state minister Harsh Attri.