HC files PIL over allegations of rape, harassment at GNLU

Ahmedabad: Taking cognizance of allegations that a woman student was raped by a batchmate and a queer student was harassed at Gujarat National Law University in Gandhinagar, the Gujarat high court on Monday asked the institute to submit a report on the matter. The bench headed by Justice A S Supehia took cognizance of a news report in which a woman student at the institute alleged rape by a batchmate and a queer student complained about harassment by other students. These allegations were reported anonymously on an Instagram page and the university did not initiate action because the authorities had not received formal complaints. The court also noted the attitude of the university in this regard.Referring to the news report, the bench said, “The allegations are very grave and serious. One student suffered mental trauma due to harassment meted out because he is queer, and a woman student alleged rape by a batchmate.” The internal complaints committee (ICC) did not act in the absence of formal complaints. The court further said that it was taking suo motu cognizance of the issue, because it has a “direct impact on the psychological and physical well-being of students”. The HC also criticized the inaction of the ICC. The HC directed the GNLU registrar and its head of academic affairs “to identify and record the statements of the students”. The statement of the woman student will have to be recorded by a woman professor, and if the allegations are found to be genuine and inspire confidence, the necessary steps are to be taken immediately according to the law. The HC also sought the names of the ICC members apart from directing GNLU to apprise it of “norms and the standard operating procedure adopted in dealing with complaints of ragging”. The bench sought a report and the PIL will be placed before the bench of the chief justice.

Gujarat high court takes up alleged rape at GNLU, bullying of queer student

The Gujarat High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of allegations of rape and harassment at Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) and has asked the institute to submit a report. The allegations were reported anonymously on Instagram, and the university did not take action due to the absence of formal complaints. The court criticized the inaction of the university's internal complaints committee and directed the university to identify and record statements from the students involved. If the allegations are found credible, legal action will be taken promptly. A PIL will be presented for further action.

Gujarat HC takes suo motu cognisance of news report about rape incident, harassment of queer student at GNLU

The Gujarat High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of a newspaper report about two incidents of harassment at the Gujarat National Law University (GNLU). The incidents involve the harassment of a male student for being queer and the rape of a female student by her batchmate. The court has issued a notice to the university registrar and head of academic affairs and directed the university to identify the students involved and record their statements while maintaining confidentiality. The court has also asked for information about the university's procedures for dealing with harassment.

Law students allege harassment by LU provost, demand removal

Law students at Lucknow University staged a protest accusing the provost of a boys hostel of using foul language and humiliating students. The students demanded the removal of the provost and went on a hunger strike. The provost denied the allegations, stating that he was strictly enforcing hostel rules. The students also wrote a letter to the university's vice-chancellor describing the provost's behavior as impractical and mentally harassing. In related news, a medical student in Thane complained of ragging in a hostel, while a BTech student in Meerut was found hanging in his hostel room.

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