Hyderabad HC issues notices to HCU, police after petition seeking peace on campus

The Hyderabad High Court on Tuesday issued notices to the Hyderabad Central University, its Vice Chancellor, Dean, Students Welfare, and the Cyberabad police commissioner in response to a petition demanding restoration of peace and "academic atmosphere" on the varsity campus.

The varsity has been at the centre of controversy since the suicide of Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula, and recently after resumption of duty by its Vice Chancellor Appa Rao Podile.

Justice Challa Kodandaram issued notices to the respondents, directing them to explain why the petition filed by Gali Vinodkumar, Principal of PG Law College, Osmania University, should not be admitted.

Vinodkumar contends that the HCU management has failed to take steps for restoration of peace, harmony, law and order and "academic atmosphere" on the university campus.

The petitioner has also sought a direction from the court to refer the matter to the Chairman, State Legal Services Authorities, in order to constitute a mediation committee to solve the issue.

Political leaders are visiting the HCU campus for their own selfish motives, he said.

While seeking replies, Justice Kodandaram commented that visits to the campus by non-students should be prevented as the first step for restoring normalcy. Visits by outsiders aggravate the situation, he said.

The hearing was adjourned for two weeks.