To Be Examined By Impartial Agency: Allahabad High Court Orders Investigation Into Law Students' Allegations Of Caste-Based Remarks By Professor
The petition before the High Court was filed by two litigants, one being a PhD research scholar and the other a student of Dr Rajendra Prasad National Law University.
Justice Vinod Diwakar, Allahabad High Court
The Allahabad High Court has directed the constitution of two committees to investigate the allegations made by two law students that a faculty member of Dr Rajendra Prasad National Law University made caste-based remarks against them. The High Court held that the allegations required to be examined by an impartial agency.
The petition before the High Court was filed by two litigants, one being a PhD research scholar (first petitioner) and the other a student of the Vth Semester of the B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) course (second petitioner) at the respondent University, Dr Rajendra Prasad National Law University, Prayagraj.
The Single Bench of Justice Vinod Diwakar held, “The allegations are serious, and for that very reason they require to be examined by an impartial agency after affording a full opportunity of hearing to the person against whom they are made.”
“The objective of the inquiry shall be to ascertain whether students belonging to the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes have been subjected to caste-based humiliation or discrimination 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 dealt with by the University in accordance with the applicable regulations”, it directed.
Advocate Shivam Agarwal represented the Petitioner while Chief Standing Counsel represented the Respondent.
Factual Background
The second petitioner claimed that the stricter evaluation of his answer sheets was due to his caste, as there had been multiple occasions when the sixth respondent (faculty member) had publicly made intentional insulting remarks concerning caste and reservation and comments regarding a current faculty member who was appointed under the reserved category.
The aggrieved student submitted a complaint by electronic mail to the respondent Vice-Chancellor stating that the competent authority of the University had failed to take any action upon the complaint, and had thereby shielded the respondent teacher. The student claimed to have sent repeated reminders and further complaints, but his grievance remained unredressed.
Reasoning
The Bench recorded no finding upon the truth of the allegations made against the respondent teacher or against any other person. “Nothing in this order shall be construed as an expression of opinion upon their correctness”, it stated.
The Bench thus directed the Vice-Chancellor of the respondent-University to constitute an independent Committee to re-evaluate the answer sheets of the petitioner in the subjects taught and evaluated by the respondent in the Vth Semester, and in such other subject or subjects as the petitioner student may indicate.
The Bench further asked a Judge of the Small Cause Court, District Court, Prayagraj and the Special Chief Judicial Magistrate, Prayagraj to conduct an inquiry and to submit a report to the Court.
The Bench also clarified that the inquiring officers should take such measures as they consider appropriate to protect the identity of any student who deposes before them, having regard to the apprehension of retaliation expressed in the complaint. “The report shall be submitted in a sealed cover before next date of hearing”, it stated.
“The Vice-Chancellor shall also place before this Court a short affidavit stating whether the University has constituted an Equal Opportunity Cell and a Committee for the redressal of grievances of students belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, in terms of the applicable University Grants Commission Regulations; the composition thereof…”, it ordered.
Cause Title: Shubhendu Anand And Another v. State Of U.P. And 5 Others (Case No.: WRIT - C No.37012 of 2026)