Will the Calcutta HC Ensure Security for Jadavpur University During Saraswati Puja Celebrations?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Calcutta High Court emphasizes safety during Saraswati Puja.
- University to implement CCTV installations for enhanced security.
- Past incidents raise concerns about student welfare.
- Police assistance mandated for the celebration.
- Proactive measures reflect growing awareness of campus safety.
Kolkata, Jan 22 (NationPress) The Calcutta High Court has issued a directive to the authorities at Jadavpur University to uphold law and order and guarantee safety during the upcoming Saraswati Puja festivities on campus.
A division bench consisting of Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen emphasized the necessity for the university to adopt suitable measures to ensure a peaceful environment, with police assistance available if required.
This ruling follows a public interest litigation concerning safety at Jadavpur University, wherein the state's Higher Education Department had previously allocated resources for the installation of CCTV cameras across the university.
The university representatives informed the court about the progress of the CCTV installation, assuring its completion in a timely manner.
During the proceedings, attorney Kalyan Banerjee, representing the state, expressed concerns about potential disturbances at the university during the Saraswati Puja celebrations scheduled for Friday.
He urged the court to mandate police presence for security. Conversely, the university authorities indicated that the state agency will finalize the CCTV installations within four weeks.
Notably, a public interest litigation was initiated by lawyer Soham Das after the tragic death of a university student linked to ragging incidents in the Jadavpur University hostel.
In September, Anamika Mondal, a third-year English Honours student, passed away under suspicious circumstances.
Her family alleged that she had been murdered, claiming she was pushed into a water body on campus, prompting them to file a murder report at the local police station. The body of a female student was subsequently retrieved from the university pond.
The Calcutta High Court had earlier directed the Higher Education Department to allocate funds for enhancing security at the university, which includes the ongoing installation of CCTV units and the appointment of security personnel.