HC holds JNUSU chief, others guilty of contempt of court
New Delhi, July 3: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday held JNU Students Union members, including its President Geeta Kumari, guilty of contempt of court for violating an order that barred them from protesting near the administrative building on the campus.
"On the basis of the photographs and admissions made by the respondents (JNUSU leaders), they did congregate/held protests in the administrative block, which is in wilful violation of court order dated August 9, 2017," Justice V. Kameswar Rao said.
The court, while taking into consideration that the said students are pursuing higher studies and are on the threshold of their careers, said that the interests of justice would be served if a fine of Rs 2,000 is imposed on each of them.
The court directed them to deposit the fine with the court Registrar General within two weeks.
The court order came on a university contempt plea for action against the erring students for violating court order that barred them from protesting within 100 metres of the university's administrative building.
In February, the students had protested against the new attendance rule and allegedly blocked the way of staff who wished to enter the Jawaharlal Nehru University administrative block here.
The students were on strike against the new attendance rule, according to which they would have to forfeit their hostel accommodation and scholarships/fellowships if they fail to achieve 75 per cent attendance.
The court turned down the defence of the students that the protests have not resulted in any obstruction.
"... the respondents (JNUSU) have, in fact, re-argued the writ petition by contending that they have a right to protest, that too at the administrative block... in other words, an attempt has been to justify their conduct," the court noted.
The court observed that during the arguments, the students union has not expressed any regret or remorse for violating the orders.
"The interpretation sought to be given to the order by the learned counsel for the respondents is only an attempt to wriggle out of their contemptuous acts," the court said.
The JNUSU, in a statement, said that it will explore remedies against the said court order as it resolved to fight what it called an "authoritarian" university administration.
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Sanju Samson ton guides India to 61-run win over South Africa
Durban, Nov 8: Sanju Samson scored a scintillating century as India inflicted a 61-run defeat on South Africa in the first T20I here on Friday.
Invited to bat, Samson blazed away to 107 off 50 balls, hitting as many as 10 sixes and seven fours to help India post 202 for 8.
The spin duo of Varun Chakaravarthy (3/25) and Ravi Bishnoi (3/28) then shared six wickets between them to bowl out South Africa for 141 in 17.5 overs.
Earlier, Samson became the first Indian to score back-to-back centuries in T20Is.
The opener notched his second T20I hundred off just 47 balls. His first had come in India's last outing against Bangladesh last month.
However, South Africa clawed their way back into the game as they stemmed the flow of runs by picking wickets in the last five overs.
Pacer Gerald Coetzee who claimed three wickets was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts.
Brief Scores:
India: 202 for 8 in 20 overs (Sanju Samson 107, Tilak Verma 33; Gerald Coetzee 3/37)
South Africa: 141 all out in 17.5 overs (Heinrich Klaasen 25; Varun Chakaravarthy 3/25, Ravi Bishnoi 3/28)
