Raid at UoH hostel: 10 students held guilty of 'misbehaviour', after wardens allege assault

A committee set up by the University of Hyderabad (UoH) has held 10 students 'guilty' after a midnight raid by officials on Friday night turned controversial. 

The university claimed that 10 students were responsible for physical intimidation, verbal abuse, preventing officials from discharging their duties and damage to properties, Deccan Chronicle reported.

The DC reports that twelve students, security personnel and wardens have been asked to depose before the committee, which also expressed 'deep concern' over the attempt to drag the university into controversies by presenting distorted versions. 

Trouble began when hostel authorities conducted an inspection of the Men’s Hostel J, where a woman student was found in one of the rooms. A disagreement then ensued between students and the wardens and grew into a ruckus, with students accused of switching off the lights in a corridor and trying to assault the wardens.

On Sunday, the University administration issued show cause notices 23 students, including the Students’ Union President Sreerag P and ex-President Kuldeep Singh Nagi. The 12 students have been asked to appear before a committee on Tuesday and explain their actions.

However, students deny that any assault took place, and accuse the administration of overplaying an argument to target students.

Speaking to TNM, Sreerag had earlier questioned the Wardens’ decision to conduct a hostel raid so late in the night. “How can they conduct raids at midnight? What is the motive behind taking up raids in the night, when they can conduct them during regular hours?" he asked.

The UoH unit of the ABVP also issued a poster on Saturday condemning authorities for taking up raids on the students. “Open spaces are out of bounds, hostel spaces are restricted, no option for good food, no spaces to relax. Are we in a jail? Where are the spaces for dining and socialisation in UoH?” the poster asked.

However, UoH Security in-charge TV Rao, who is also part of the Inquiry Committee in the case, said that the authorities were justified in their actions. He also dismissed student allegations of moral policing, and said that students were violating university rules.