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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Karnataka cabinet adopts resolution condemning Pahalgam terrorist attack
Chamarajanagara (Karnataka), Apr 24 (PTI): The Karnataka cabinet on Thursday adopted a resolution condemning the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and accused the Union Home Ministry and intelligence agencies of "failing" to prevent it.
The cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, also called for an investigation into these lapses.
The terror attack in Pahalgam on Tuesday left at least 26 people dead, including two from Karnataka.
"Our government strongly condemns the terrorist attack on innocent civilians in Pahalgam. We express our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased on behalf of the people of Karnataka," the resolution stated.
It described terrorist attacks as heinous crimes against humanity and urged the nation to unite in the fight to eradicate terrorism in all forms.
"However, the failure of the Union Home Department is the reason for these heinous attacks, from Pulwama to Pahalgam, the resolution said. The situation is such that the Intelligence Department has to hang its head in shame at the international level for its weaknesses and failures."
"Moreover, hundreds of families have been orphaned. The Karnataka government strongly condemns this failure of the Home Ministry," it added.
It also condemned the use of terrorist attacks on innocent civilians for "the evil politics of communal polarisation" and demanded a thorough investigation into the failures.
