JNU sedition row: Appeals panel reduces fines of some students

A JNU committee hearing the appeals of 21 students fined in connection with an event in which anti-national slogans were allegedly raised, found them all guilty of indiscipline but reduced punishments for some of them.

A JNU committee hearing the appeals of 21 students fined in connection with an event in which anti-national slogans were allegedly raised, found them all guilty of indiscipline but reduced punishments for some of them.

Umar Khalid (right) and Anirban Bhattacharya (left). (Hindustan Times)

The event to commemorate Afzal Guru’s death anniversary was held on February 9.

“The committee appointed by the JNU vice-chancellor looked into aspects related to indiscipline. For some the punishment has remained same while for some, it has been reduced,” an official told HT.

The punishment to Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya remained the same as earlier given by a high-level enquiry committee (HLEC). Punishment to some other students was reduced, sources said.

The students had organised a cultural event on February 9 where anti-national slogans were allegedly raised. Khalid, Bhattacharya and JNU students’ Union president Kanhaiya Kumar were arrested and later released on bail in a sedition case after the incident.

JNU V-C M Jagadesh Kumar had formed a four-member committee to hear appeals of students found guilty of indiscipline by the high-level committee.

The committee was constituted a month after the Delhi High Court stayed the punishment.

Bhattacharya and Khalid were rusticated for one semester. But JNU will remain out of bounds for Bhattacharya for five years from July 25, 2016. A fine of Rs 20,000 was also slapped on Khalid.

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Some students were given relief after the appeals. For instance, Rama Naga, the general secretary of the JNU students’ union, has been asked to pay Rs 10, 000 instead of Rs 20, 000.

“Ashutosh, who was earlier fined Rs 20,000, has been asked to pay Rs 15,000 but the order to vacate the hostel remains. Anant was fined Rs 20,000 and now has been asked to pay Rs 5,000,” said a student.

ABVP leader and JNU students’ union joint secretary Saurabh Sharma said his financial penalty was reduced. “I have been asked to pay Rs 5,000 instead of Rs 10,000,” he said.

The University said every student was called for deposition before the appeals committee. Every student was given a copy of the HLEC report and the evidence and was given an opportunity to make an appeal in writing.

It wasn’t immediately clear if JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar’s earlier fine of Rs 10,000 was reduced.