Judicial committee starts probe into BHU violence

A judicial committee constituted by Banaras Hindu University to probe the violence and baton-charging on students on varsity premises, started probe on Monday.

Anyone wishing to provide any evidence or information to committee headed by justice (retd) VK Dikshit may do so at LD guest house at 11 am on Tuesday, BHU spokesperson Dr Rajesh Singh said.

“Electronic evidence or of any other sort may be presented before the committee,” he said.

The varsity administration constituted the committee after a police crackdown on protesters demanding action on a complaint of molestation by a hosteller. Several students, mostly women, were wounded in the unrest.

BHU administration also created a right to administration portal for students to register complaints.

“Complaints registered on the portal will be addressed quickly,” BHU spokesperson Dr Rajesh Singh said.

Girl students may register their complaints on 8004922000 and 0542-2369134, besides contacting the chief proctor on her mobile.

The university administration has taken a number of steps to step up security of the girls on the premises.

District administration officials, including district magistrate Yogeshwar Ram Mishra, senior superintendent of police RK Bhardwaj held a meeting with the varsity officials, including Neeraj Tripathi, chief proctor Prof Royana Singh and dean students’ welfare Prof MK Singh to draw a security plan on campus on Tuesday.

SSP Singh said cops in plain clothes will remain deployed at the gates. Besides, female security personnel and intelligence sleuths will be present on the premises. Random checking of vehicles would also be carried out.

Moreover, BHU vice chancellor Girish Chandra Tripathi has gone home for “personal reasons”, triggering a buzz that his leave could be indefinite, but the administration said he will be back when the institute reopens after the Dussehra break on Tuesday.

Tripathi is accused of mishandling the situation and his annual leave around this time of the year triggered talks that he might not return.

“The VC left for his home in Allahabad on Sunday morning. After fasting for nine days during Navratra, he breaks his fast at his home. He is most likely to return by late Monday night,” spokesperson Singh said.