Let JNU committee take call on Johri's suspension: HC
New Delhi, May 29: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday said the Jawaharlal Nehru University's Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) will take a decision on the suspension of Professor Atul Kumar Johri, accused of sexually harassing women students, after examining the material on record.
Justice Rajiv Shakdher's direction came while hearing a petition filed by several women students seeking suspension of the professor, against whom eight FIRs have been lodged alleging sexual harassment, and to restrain him from entering the campus.
The court said that the ICC, which deals with sexual harassment matters on campus, would examine the material available on record, including the FIRs, complaints and statements of witnesses.
"...thereafter, reach a prima facie finding as to whether respondent No.4's (Johri) conduct is such that it merits his immediate suspension and or removal from the campus," the court said.
"In case a prima facie case of misconduct is made out, the ICC shall make suitable recommendations to the Vice Chancellor."
The court has asked the ICC to place a report before it within three weeks, but directed it not to insist the petitioners to depose before it.
The bench has asked police to render necessary assistance to the committee.
To provide a safe working environment to the petitioner students, the court reiterated that the professor would have no access to laboratory No. 409 of the Department of Life Sciences where the students work.
However, the authority concerned in the JNU would provide complete access to petitioner to laboratory No. 409 for doing their research work, the court ordered directing to appoint separate supervisors for them.
The court also said that if necessary, a separate laboratory should be given to professor to conduct his work, but directed Johri not to contact complainants or any potential witness, and in case of any infraction, the Vice Chancellor would consider removal of professor from the campus.
It also passed the direction that the professor should not take charge as warden of any women's hostel on the JNU campus and listed the matter for August 17 for further hearing.
On March 16, the police had registered only one FIR based on nine complaints. Later, they registered eight FIRs against Johri on separate complaints of nine students, who alleged that he sexually harassed them in a lab of the Department of Life Sciences.
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BJP leader Ashoka slams Siddaramaiah for asking people to support son in Varuna segment
Bengaluru (PTI): Taking a dig at Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for calling on the people of his Varuna assembly segment to support and nurture his son Yathindra, just as they did to him, senior BJP leader R Ashoka on Saturday asked whether this was a monarchy to announce a successor.
The Leader of the Opposition also termed it a "bad" development in state politics.
"Siddaramaiah gives speeches claiming that he is a socialist and not a casteist or a nepotist. Yesterday, he asked people to nurture his son politically. All these years, they nurtured him, now his son, and next he will come in six months with a similar request for his grandson. Is this monarchy to announce a successor," Ashoka asked.
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Speaking to reporters here, he said Siddaramaiah seems to have abandoned Ambedkar's principles.
"One has to win through ballots in politics....such appeals in politics will be an offence to the principles with which Ambedkar drafted our Constitution. It is surprising that Siddaramaiah has made such a statement. This is not good for state politics," he added.
Addressing a gathering at his Varuna constituency in Mysuru on Friday, Siddaramaiah said he will remain in politics till his "last breath" and will continue to serve the people as much as he can. He also called on the people of the segment to support and nurture his son and Congress MLC Yathindra politically, just as they supported him.
The opposition leader also took a dig at "dinner parties" within the Congress amid the ongoing power struggle between Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar's camps and speculation about a leadership change, stating that "this is a dinner party government."
"They are not worried about the difficulties faced by the state's people. They are only concerned with who will hold the chief minister post and maintain power. This is betrayal to the people of the state," he added.
Reacting to Ramanagara Congress MLA Iqbal Hussain criticising the state budget presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah last week, Ashoka claimed that a number of other ruling party legislators are also unhappy with the Budget, as it did not meet their expectations.
"Hussain has only expressed the opinion of other Congress MLAs. He has spoken the truth. I compliment him," he added.
Responding to a question, Ashoka urged the state government to take action against those indulging in hoarding and black marketing of LPG cylinders amid supply constraints caused by the West Asia conflict.
Pointing out that the supply issues have arisen due to conflict, he said, "Those trying to blame the Centre for the gas crisis should understand this. They should suggest alternatives to address the supply issue caused by the war."
Appealing to the people of the state to cooperate in the current situation, Ashoka hit out at CM Siddaramaiah for doing politics on the issue that has arisen due to the war in the Middle East.
