IET hostel vandalism: Students apologise, seek relief in action

Indore: The hostel vandalism case at Institute of Engineering and Technology under Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya took a fresh turn on Tuesday after students involved in the incident publicly apologised and appealed for leniency in disciplinary action.

Two days after the incident at Ramanujan Hostel, students released a video accepting responsibility for damaging hostel property during a farewell celebration organised by final-year students. The apology video was sent to IET director Pratosh Bansal, hostel authorities and Vice-Chancellor Rakesh Singhai.

The controversy erupted after videos of vandalism inside the hostel went viral on social media. The clips showed students breaking windowpanes, throwing furniture and damaging a water storage tank during the late-night party held after completion of their academic course.

Following the incident, the institute administration constituted a five-member inquiry committee on Sunday to investigate the matter. The committee submitted its report to the Vice-Chancellor on Monday, recommending that the results and placement offers of the students involved be withheld. It also proposed a penalty of Rs 25,000 on each student identified in the incident.

On Tuesday, hostel residents released a nearly two-minute video in which around 30 to 40 students were seen collectively apologising for the vandalism. In the video, students admitted that hostel property should not have been damaged and said they were ready to pay the penalty imposed by the administration. They also appealed to the university authorities to grant them relief in the disciplinary action.

IET director Pratosh Bansal confirmed that the apology video had been received and the committee’s report had already been submitted to Vice-Chancellor for further action.

Singhai said that vandalism inside the hostel had tarnished image of the institution. He confirmed that students have been instructed to vacate the hostel and fines would be recovered. He added that a final decision on other disciplinary actions including withholding degree and cancelling placement offers is under reconsideration looking at the student’s future. The final decision on the matter would be taken after discussions with IET management and committee members in a meeting scheduled for Thursday.