Bombay HC denies urgent hearing to suspended TISS PhD student

Bombay High Court/ File Photo

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday denied an urgent hearing for Ramadas KS, a PhD student at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), who has been suspended for alleged misbehaviour and anti-national actions. A vacation bench comprising Justices Arif Doctor and Somasekhar Sundaresan set the hearing until June 18, following the court's summer vacation, finding that there was no pressing need, reported PTI.

According to the report, Ramadas, a student at the School of Development Studies, contested his two-year suspension, which was given on April 18. His attorney, Mihir Desai, claimed that the suspension resulted in the termination of Ramadas' scholarship, inflicting financial hardship.

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TISS stated that Ramadas had an alternative remedy, hence his petition was not maintainable. The court highlighted that arguments regarding the petition's maintainability must be heard first, the report added.

TISS's affidavit stated that a high-level body within the institute addresses student misconduct, and any appeals should be submitted to the vice-chancellor. The institute requested the dismissal of the petition, arguing that Ramadas should have appealed to the vice-chancellor before approaching the high court.

Reportedly, the document also claimed that Ramadas used political clout to pressure the institute, as indicated by letters from political parties and social media campaigns. It claimed that students are notified of their responsibilities upon admission, and any violations result in disciplinary action.

In response, Ramadas denied utilising political influence, claiming that extensive support from students and organisations demonstrated that the suspension was wrong. He contended that the disciplinary proceedings breached natural justice and fundamental rights, necessitating the high court's intervention.

"The entire disciplinary proceedings have been held in an arbitrary fashion, in violation of principles of natural justice and the fundamental rights of the petitioner, and accordingly, the High Court alone has jurisdiction to set aside the same," the rejoinder affidavit stated.

Ramadas' petition asks the court to overturn the suspension and restore his student rights, claiming it was "unlawful, arbitrary, and unfair." He was suspended for protesting federal government policies in New Delhi and supporting the documentary 'Ram Ke Naam' at the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the PTI report stated.