Allahabad High Court Orders Inquiry Into Alleged Caste Discrimination at NLU Prayagraj
A Judicial probe was recently ordered by the Allahabad High Court into the allegations of caste-based harassment and discrimination allegedly meted out by a teacher at the Dr. Rajendra Prasad National Law University, Prayagraj.
Justice Vinod Diwakar on an application ordered a Judicial inquiry by Judge of Small Causes Court Archana Singh and CJM Arun Kumar Yadava to look into the allegations made by a BA LLB (Hons.) student against Dr Deepak Sharma, the Head of the Department of Law and Warden of the Boys’ Hostel.
The Court observed that the allegations made against Dr Sharma are serious in nature and deserve to be examined. In an impartial manner after affording a full opportunity of hearing to the respondent no. 6.”
“In the inquiry, the officers shall especially examine –
- Whether students belonging to the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes have been subjected to humiliation or discrimination on account of their caste by respondent no. 6 or by any other person employed in or working for gain in the University; and
- Whether the complaints made in that behalf were properly dealt with by the University in accordance with the applicable regulations,” the order stated.
The Court directed that while conducting the inquiry, all possible measures shall be taken to protect the identity of any student who deposes before them.
The Court further directed that the inquiry be completed before September 24 and the inquiry report submitted before the Court in a sealed cover.
Ordering the judicial probe, the single-judge bench additionally directed that till the completion of the enquiry, Dr Sharma shall be relieved from all administrative responsibilities.
The order was passed on a petition moved by a PhD scholar along with the victim student. The petitioner-student alleged that she was discriminated against by Dr Sharma on the basis of her caste. It was submitted that the student had earlier also filed a complaint before the Vice Chancellor of the University but no action was taken against Dr Sharma despite being reminded several times.
The student had filed a complaint on August 20 alleging that Sharma belonging to an “upper caste” family, changed the method of evaluation of her answer sheets to a stricter one just because she belonged to a SC caste. The accused is also alleged to have made disparaging remarks about her caste and reservation benefits availed by her, on several occasions.
The Court, on hearing the complaint, had directed the Vice Chancellor to constitute an independent committee to evaluate the answer sheets of the petitioner-student in the subjects which were taught and evaluated by respondent no. 6 during the fifth semester.
Advocate Shivam Agarwal appeared for the petitioners.
Advocate Gaurav Tripathi was seen representing the respondents.
Senior Advocate Prabhakar Awasthi appeared for Dr. Deepak Sharma.
