Conversion claim: HC rejects St Stephen's officer's plea

The Delhi High Court today dismissed a plea by an administrative officer of St Stephen's College challenging his suspension and accusing its principal of trying to convert him to Christianity.
Justice Suresh Kait declined to entertain Subha Kumar Dash's petition after the court was informed that the college has revoked his suspension and the governing body will now see what has to be done.
"The respondent (college) submits that the suspension order has been withdrawn on December 17, 2014, and this fact has been conveyed to the petitioner (Dash).
"In view of the above, this petition become infructuous. The petition is accordingly dismissed," the court said.

Dash, had moved high court challenging his suspension and accusing St Stephen's principal Valson Thampu of trying to convert him to Christianity.
He was also barred from entering the institute's campus without the approval of the governing body of the college.

In his plea, Dash also sought an injunction against any action by the governing body.
Thampu has denied the allegations.
The counsel for Dash, however, requested the court to keep the writ petition pending before it, so that in case any corrosive action is taken by the governing body he can approach the court.
The advocate appearing for college, however, opposed Dash's request, saying the college governing body is meeting tomorrow morning and will take its independent view.

According to the petition, Dash was suspended on December 10 by Valson on charges of engaging in "gross misconduct" and sending derogatory and defamatory SMSes to the administration and to the college community under the influence of alcohol.
Dash's counsel also informed the court that "action was taken against his client as he showed financial irregularities in the college".