LU vandalism: HC seeks report by Sept 18

LUCKNOW: The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court has sought a report of the committee of additional chief secretary in connection with Lucknow University vandalism case by September 18. The 11-member committee was constituted in

pursuance of the earlier order of the court to prevent vandalism in the universities and other educational institutions of the state. A division bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Rajesh Singh Chauhan passed the order on a public interest litigation (PIL) petition listed as ‘Lucknow university vandalism’. The court had taken suo motu cognisance of the incident that occurred at the university in the first week of July this year and had directed to list it as a PIL. On September 4, an affidavit of SSP (Lucknow) was filed stating that out of the total 16 named accused persons, 15 had been arrested or had surrendered before court and two chargesheets had also been submitted against 14 persons. It further said that against the remaining accused appropriate steps under section 82/83 CrPC was being taken. On behalf of the state government, additional advocate general Vinod Kumar Shahi submitted before the court that the committee of 11 members is deliberating and apparently its report has been prepared. However, he sought a week’s time to place the same before the court. Accordingly, the court directed to list this case on September 18 and by the said date it sought the committee’s report by way of an affidavit. Further, SSP (Lucknow) will file an affidavit of progress report in the investigation, the court said.