3 days ago
Law student suspended for 6 months for links with suspected Urban Naxal
Nagpur: A final-year law student with an elite Nagpur law school has been suspended for six months after she was allegedly found in a hotel room with suspected Urban Naxal Rejas Sydeek, recently arrested under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Her writ petition in the Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court, challenging the suspension, was withdrawn on Tuesday after Justice Pravind Patil refused interim relief.
The high court noted that the university's campus disciplinary committee had completed its inquiry on May 22 and promptly informed the student the next day. "Since the petitioner has opted to pursue the statutory appeal, the writ petition is permitted to be withdrawn to prosecute the appeal before the competent authority," Justice Patil observed while disposing of the matter.
Represented by Advocate Raju Kadu, the student argued her suspension during the ongoing semester examinations was academic prejudice and the university had violated principles of natural justice under its code of conduct. However, university counsel Kuldeep Mahalle countered that the disciplinary inquiry was conducted fairly and adhered to procedural safeguards.
Additional government pleader Sangeeta Jachak, appearing for the state on behalf of Lakadganj Police, said the matter was purely administrative and opposed any relief.
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The student had been suspended on May 10, debarred from academic and non-academic activities, after reportedly failing to provide satisfactory answers about her presence with Sydeek, who is currently in the custody of Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad.
The university also cited her social media activity, including a post that appeared to challenge the govt stance on Operation Sindoor.
During an earlier hearing on May 17, Justice Rohit Joshi had declined interim relief, observing the suspension was an administrative measure and judicial intervention was not warranted at that stage.
The high court took on record the university's communication dated May 23, outlining the decision to suspend the student. Advocate Kadu did not dispute that the inquiry had concluded and confirmed the student had filed a statutory appeal under the varsity's redressal of grievances rules.
At the last hearing, the law school informed the court that if the student's appeal succeeded, she would be permitted to take special examinations before results were announced early July.
Sydeek, with whom the student was allegedly found, is under investigation for suspected anti-national activities and conspiracy to wage war against the country. Sources said Sydeek was tracked to a Nagpur hotel, following an intelligence alert, prompting scrutiny of the student's activities and associations.
KEY TAKEAWAYS OF HC RULING:
University disciplinary committee completed inquiry on May 22, 2025, and informed the student the next day.
Recorded that the petitioner chose to pursue a statutory appeal under Clause 5.2 of the university's redressal rules.
Refused to stay the six-month suspension, terming it an administrative action beyond judicial interference at this stage.
Said the petitioner could withdraw her writ petition and pursue the appeal
