BU mulls over evicting law school

The alleged gang-rape of a 22-year-old law student from the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), located within Bangalore University's (BU's) Jnanabharathi campus, on late Saturday night, has led to the prestigious law school being threatened with eviction from its present location, as the land belongs to BU.

Citing the alleged failure of NLSIU in reining in its students from being indisciplined, BU authorities have decided to issue a circular to the law school. An official circular from BU will reach NLSIU officials on Tuesday.

BU's registrar (evaluation), BC Mylarappa, told DNA, "We are fed up with the way the students of NLSIU are behaving and also about the bad name our campus is getting because of them. We will not tolerate this anymore and will issue an official notice."
He said the notice would only be a warning. "(But) if they do not correct themselves or continue to fail to keep their students under control, we will consider withdrawing our land provided to NLSIU,” said Mylarappa.

The alleged gang-rape of the law student, who hails from Nepal, has triggered afresh the latent anger nursed by BU authorities over NLSIU students using BU campus well past 10 pm. A lot of forested land is part of BU campus, and these areas are notorious for all kinds of activities.

Mylarappa said while NLSIU students were allowed to violate whatever rules set for them, BU authorities were quite strict about enforcing rules in their hostels. “We have rules in our hostels where students (both boys and girls) are not allowed to go out of their respective hostels after 7 pm. Even those who enter hostels after 7pm are not be allowed to enter,” he said.

The circular, which BU is preparing, will insist on NLSIU authorities directing its students to follow the timings strictly. “We want even NLSIU students to follow the timings of our hostel. If NLSIU authorities fail in doing so, we will withdraw the land provided to NLSIU on lease,” Mylarappa said.

However, he said the matter about withdrawing the land provided for NLSIU was likely to be placed before the next syndicate meeting. If the syndicate decides to withdraw the land, then the notice will be served to NLSIU as per the norms (legal).

The 1,319 acres of land of Bangalore University's Jnanabharathi campus has just 60 security personnel, who work in three shifts. According to BU officials, it is the responsibility of concerned authorities/ institutes to take care of their students and staff.
Meanwhile, BU is thinking of setting up check-posts at all the three entrances to the varsity to avoid crimes within its premises.