The Gujarat High Court directed the Registrar of Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) to tender an apology for claiming on affidavit that the allegations rape, molestation, discrimination, homophobia and favouritism at the University were false.
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Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court issued a directive to the Registrar of Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), mandating an apology for previously claiming in an affidavit that allegations of rape, molestation, discrimination, homophobia, and favoritism at the university were unfounded.
Presiding over the case, Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Aniruddha Mayee expressed concern over the lack of disciplinary actions against the Registrar, highlighting that no apology had been submitted nor an inquiry initiated.
“No action has been taken against the Registrar. No inquiry is conducted. The way he responded to this Court. You are required to make at least an inquiry. He has not even submitted an apology to us,”
-the justices noted during the proceedings.
The case stemmed from a suo motu public interest litigation initiated by the court following a media report on alleged rape and harassment of a queer student at GNLU. In a hearing on February 28, the court was taken aback after a report by a fact-finding committee supported these allegations. Previously, the Registrar had filed an affidavit denying the allegations and had urged the court to conclude the suo motu proceedings.
“He had the audacity to say this in the court when the court is seized with the matter. How will these people protect the children?”
-Chief Justice Agarwal remarked at the February session.
During the latest hearing, Chief Justice Agarwal inquired with Advocate General (AG) Kamal B. Trivedi whether any inquiry against the Registrar had commenced. AG Trivedi reassured the court that measures would be taken following the appointment of a new Registrar, noting that advertisements for the position had been published with a deadline of May 6.
The court clarified its stance, indicating it was not seeking suspension but an initiation of an inquiry.
“We are not saying that you suspend him. But at least initiate an inquiry. Understand what he was supposed to do. He is an Officer of the University. He was not supposed to behave like this. And the way he responded to this Court, that was very very… Not the language. He had that courage to come to the Court and say on affidavit that, ‘No, there is nothing,'”
-the justices articulated.
AG Trivedi confirmed that an apology would be presented at the subsequent hearing. He also detailed other actions taken by the university, such as establishing a sub-committee and a new Internal Complaints Committee (ICC).
“We’ve got awakened. Your lordship may record. We will see that… I’m making a statement as the officer of the court. I’m not instructed to make the statement. We will see that. I am also one of the members of the executing council so is my learned friend and a learned sitting judge of this honorable Court. We will meet every month regularly to see that what is being promised is being implemented or not,”
-he explained.
AG Trivedi also described efforts to address student concerns through the creation of a ‘Blind Google Drive’ where students could anonymously submit responses. Initially, only 11 responses were received, but after repeating the process, 23 additional responses were collected. Despite these efforts, no victim was identified, but Chief Justice Agarwal clarified that the goal was to eradicate distrust within the student body rather than identify specific victims.
“Because they are the students of law. If the students of law are not able to voice their concerns, then how will they speak for others? They are supposed to speak for others. So that is the concern of ours,”
-she emphasized.
Drawing parallels with the West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS), where student activism is encouraged, Chief Justice Agarwal highlighted the importance of fostering an environment where law students feel empowered to voice their concerns freely.
The case is scheduled for further review on May 1, where both the Director and Registrar of GNLU are expected to present personal affidavits.
Click Here to Read Previous Reports on GNLU Rape and Harassment Allegations
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