HC restrains JNU students from protesting near admin block

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday imposed a restraining order on students of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), prohibiting them from protesting within 100 metres of the administrative block.

Justice Vibhu Bakhru said students can protest at sites designated by the JNU administration and should not block "ingress and egress" of officials in the admin building.

The court also said that police should not normally come inside the university campus in case students are holding protest peacefully. However, if there was flouting of the court's order, the administration could call the police, it said.

The judge also allowed for CCTV cameras to be installed at the main entry gate of the campus and in and around the admin building.

The JNU administration had earlier this year moved the high court contending that students, who were protesting against a University Grant Commission (UGC) notification, were blocking the Vice Chancellor and other officials of the university from visiting the administrative building.

The university had said that the manner of protest by blocking the ingress and egress of the officials was hampering the functioning of the university and complaints were lodged with the local police, consequent to which, two FIRs have been registered.

The high court had in previous hearing said that policemen should be sensitised about the manner of dealing with the students in case of any untoward situation.

--IANS

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