Gujarat High Court stays hostel suspension of GNLU student who lodged anti-ragging complaint

The Gujarat High Court recently granted relief to a Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) student who was suspended from the college hostel over his alleged non-cooperation with a Student Disciplinary Committee (SDC) Inquiry meeting in connection with an anti-ragging complaint initiated by him [Gaurav Meena v. Gujarat National Law University].

The student, Gaurav Meena, had received a notice from the GNLU Registrar on September 21 directing him to vacate the hostel room. He moved High Court challenging the same.

Single-judge Justice Aniruddha P Mayee stayed Meena's suspension and directed GNLU to immediately reinstate him to his allotted room at the varsities hostel.

"In the meantime, the impugned communication/notice dated 20.9.2024 suspending the petitioner from the Halls of Residence with immediate effect shall remain stayed till further orders. The respondent No.1 University is directed to reinstate the petitioner in the Halls of Residence to his allotted room with immediate effect on the receipt of this order," the Court said in its October 9 order.

The Court also sought GNLU's response to Meena's plea.

In September last year, Meena had initiated an anti-ragging complaint before the University Grants Commission (UGC) against another student that subsequently led to an inquiry on the issue.

Upon conclusion of the inquiry, the respondent student in the anti-ragging complaint was directed to tender an apology to Meena.

After noting the respondent student's non-compliance with the aforesaid direction, Meena filed another complaint with the UGC's E-Samadhan portal.

Subsequently, on September 10, the UGC wrote to GNLU to look into the matter and take necessary actions as soon as possible.

On September 11, Meena was asked to appear for a Student Disciplinary Committee Inquiry on September 13 regarding his complaint.

However, he informed the committee that he had a test on September 13 and requested for some accommodation in this regard.

As per Meena's plea, despite the fact that he tried to meet the concerned authorities after his test hours on September 13, the University did not entertain him.

On September 20, he received a notice from the GNLU Registrar that due to his non-cooperation with the Student Disciplinary Committee, he has been suspended from the varsity hostel and has to vacate the room within 24 hours.

Meena complied with the suspension notice and vacated the hostel. He then challenged the same by moving the High Court.

The Court directed GNLU to reinstate him until further orders.

[Read Order]