The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday pulled up the Punjab Police over lapses in its ongoing investigation into last month's violence and arson at Lovely Professional University (LPU) [Ravi Raj v Union of India & Ors]
A bench of Chief Justice of Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the violence that broke out after rumours spread about alleged sexual assault of a female student on LPU campus.
"We will indicate one thing very clearly. The fears which are highlighted before the Court, we are taking it very seriously. Please take up things in right perspective," Justice Mishra told Punjab government.
The Court also took note of the recent violence trigged by false claims of student suicide at another campus, the Chitkara University, and asked that these incidents be investigated on priority.
"Why a non-existent event was shared on the social media with an intent to create unrest and cause damage to public order as also larger public interest is a matter of serious concern and has to be dealt with on priority," the Court said.
However, it said the investigation conducted so far by the police into the LPU violence case falls much short of its expectations.
Nevertheless, it said that it was giving the State one more opportunity to set things right.
"If we say what we feel as of now, then some other order will have to be passed. We are still giving your opportunity," the bench remarked.
The Court added that before considering the prayer for transferring the investigation to an independent agency, it was giving another opportunity to the State police to examine the matter in correct perspective.
"We expect the police authorities to immediately take cognizance of the larger implications which arise out of the incident and the threats which it poses to public safety and security and larger national interest and take remedial measures forthwith so as to apprehend the culprit," the bench added.
The Court directed that the probe shall be supervised by a senior officer of the counterintelligence of Punjab Police.
The matter will be heard next on October 27.
LPU students resorted to massive violence last month after reports of alleged rape of a female student on university campus. While the police registered a criminal case to probe the allegations, they are yet to conclusively establish that any such incident took place.
Following massive destruction of property and looting of various shops at the campus, classes and other academic activities at LPU were suspended on September 28 for 10 days.
The PIL before the Court was filed by Ravi Raj, a student of the LPU, seeking a direction for a CBI probe into the violence. Raj has alleged that the arson and looting went on for hours after the police received information about the gathering of students at the campus.
LPU Founder Ashok Mittal is a Member of Parliament (MP). He was initially a member of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and recently joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Considering Mittal's political affiliation, the plea argues that an independent probe is required to ascertain the truth behind the protest.
Senior Advocate Gaurav Chopra, representing the petitioner, today submitted that the false information, which led to the violence, is still present online in many posts.
He added that police, by delaying instructions for removal of the posts, perpetuated the violence on LPU campus
Additional Advocate General Chanchal K Singla submitted that various investigating agencies of the State, including the counterintelligence, are looking into electronic devices and other digital evidence to probe the spread of the rumours.
The Court was also told that a communication would be sent to social media posts to bring down the false posts and reposts claiming sexual assault and suicide of student at LPU.
"We are very serious after all image of State is being spoiled," Singla said.