Panjab University to ask police to probe campus defacement

Several student leaders belonging to various groups are in for trouble after the Panjab University has recorded over 50 defacement violations by the the student leaders. PU officials said they would now request the police to conduct an inquiry into the matter and take necessary action against those responsible.

The videos, recorded over three days, depict more than 50 major violations by scores of student leaders. If booked the municipal corporation can slap fines on the student leaders and parties under the West Bengal Defacement of Property Act, 1976 and PU could also impose various restrictions on them.

“A comprehensive report on the matter is ready and we’ll be requesting the police to investigate the matter and book the violators. All the violations have been videographed and the report is being sent to the police,” PU dean of students welfare Navdeep Goyal said.

The varsity administration has found almost all the student groups including the National Students Union of India (NSUI), Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Student Organization of India (SOI) and Student Organisation of Panjab University (SOPU) were involved in the violations.

The videos recorded defacements in various department buildings, trees, toilets, the student centre and auditoriums on the campus.

PU officials said it would also probe the involvement of student groups internally as well. “If violations are found the student bodies could lose various facilities given to them during the polls including that of providing space to them for tents ahead of the elections,” a senior official said.

PU’s swift action comes in the wake of a contempt of court petition filed in the Punjab & Haryana High Court, where the varsity has to submit a report on defacement of property by student political parties.

The case is listed for hearing on August 25 before a high court bench. “We’ll extend all possible help to the police in the investigations,” Goyal said.