Delhi HC stays JNU action against Kanhaiya Kumar, Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya

The Delhi High Court on Friday stayed all disciplinary action of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), against its students Kanhaiya Kumar, Anirban Bhattacharya and Umar Khalid till their appeal against University order is decided by appellate authority. 

Earlier in the day, the HC had asked JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar to immediately bring an end to the indefinite hunger strike by the students. It said that it would hear their writ petitions challenging the varsity's disciplinary action only if they end the agitation. 

Justice Manmohan said, "You (Kanhaiya) can 'articulate' to the students sitting on hunger strike from past 16 days to end the agitation, allowing the university to 'function properly'.

"They (JNU students) will have to end their agitation/strike. You will have to withdraw the strike immediately. No one should be on hunger strike."

Varying actions, ranging from rustication, debarment from the varsity and fines, were taken against them and several other students based on a high-level enquiry committee's (HLEC) report regarding the controversial incident that had occurred on February 9 at JNU.

Apart from Kanhaiya, Ashwati A Nair, Aishwariya Adhikari, Komal Mohite, Chintu Kumari, Anwesha Chakraborty and two others had challenged the order of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) against them.

Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya moved the court earlier this week against their rustication. Umar had also been slapped with a fine of Rs 20,000, while Anirban had been barred from JNU campus for five years from July 23.

(With PTI Inputs)