Delhi University has moved the Delhi High Court challenging a single judge’s order barring PhD scholar and National Secretary of NSUI Lokesh Chugh from appearing in examinations for one year for his alleged involvement in the screening of a recent BBC documentary. On Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his alleged role in the 2002 Gujarat riots.
A Division Bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Nazmi Waziri Chugge’s reply has been sought by issuing a notice on the varsity’s appeal.
The hearing in this regard will be held on September 14.
Chugh had gone before a single judge challenging the memorandum passed by the university registrar’s office on March 10 and barring him from taking the exam for a year.
He also challenged the show-cause notice issued by the proctor’s office on February 16 alleging that he was involved in disruption of university law and order during the screening of the documentary.
Responding to the petition, Delhi University said screening of the documentary inside the campus was a serious act of indiscipline.
The varsity also said that instead of focusing on his studies, Chugh was involved in “campus politics” and was instrumental in persuading other students to indulge in “petty politics”.
Against the impugned order, Justice Purushendra Kumar Kaurav quashed the decision for “violation of natural justice” and restored Chug’s admission to the university.
In its appeal, Delhi University said the single judge passed the impugned order without appreciating the fact that Chugh himself admitted in his plea that there was a protest organized by some students in the university and the banned BBC documentary was shown inside the campus. For public viewing.
“The Ld. The Single Judge on 27.01.2023 issued the impugned judgment under Section 144 CrPC during the protest and as per the video footage available, respondent No. 1 clearly violated the same and without appreciating that it was a Part of unlawful assembly in front of Gate No. 4, Faculty of Arts, University of Delhi,” the petition said.
It added that the rules of natural justice were duly complied with by the university issuing a show cause notice to Chugh, seeking his written reply, granting a personal hearing and then passing the order.
Title: University of Delhi and Ors Vs Lokesh Chugh
Delhi High Court