Amity teachers resign over student’s suicide in Noida

Two professors of Amity Law School Delhi, who were accused of harassing Sushant Rohilla, 3rd year law student who had committed suicide, resigned on Friday following a week-long protest by students.

Two professors of Amity Law School Delhi (ALSD), who were accused of harassing Sushant Rohilla, 3rd year law student who had committed suicide, resigned on Friday following a week-long protest by students.

Students react to the resignation of the two professors who allegedly disallowed Rohilla from taking the examinations due to low attendance. (Burhaan Kinu/HT Photo)

Rohilla’s relatives and batch mates had accused ALSD director BP Singh Sehgal and professor Isheeta Rutabhasini of harassing Rohilla over his attendance. Rohilla was found dead on August 10 at his residence in Laxmi Bai Nagar of New Delhi.

“Two professors have resigned from their post as they felt that they were not comfortable teaching in ALSD if students had issues with them,” Savita Mehta, spokesperson for Amity University, said.

ALSD is affiliated to Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University and is a part of the Amity University campus in Noida.

Rohilla had 43% attendance whereas a minimum of 70% is required to appear in examinations, as per university norms.

It was alleged by his family and friends that despite Rohilla being an active debater and all-rounder in college, he was debarred from taking exams due to an ‘ego tussle’ with college authorities.

“Congratulations little brother. Those who troubled you are out of your college. Your friends made sure of that. Your culprits will not touch your friends anymore. #JusticeforSushant (sic),” wrote Mehak Rohilla, Sushant’s sister, on Facebook.

Many students protested against Rutabhasini, alleging that the professor had intimidated some of them in the past over issues such as low attendance and thesis marks.

Meanwhile, Amity University’s seven- member committee released its interim report on the Rohilla suicide case. It opined that ALSD management has acted according to the rules set by GGSIP University and Bar Council of India with regard to attendance.

The report further stated that Sushant Rohilla and his father Jagdish Rohilla had been warned in the past about the student’s low attendance through e-mail.