Bombay High Court denies urgent relief to Symbiosis law student suspended over post on Operation Sindoor

The Bombay High Court recently refused to grant any interim relief to a Symbiosis Law School student who was suspended for posting a social media post which allegedly contradicted Government of India’s position on 'Operation Sindoor, the military operation against Pakistan..Justice Rohit W Joshi at the Nagpur Bench in the order passed on May 14 said the suspension, prima facie, did not amount to punishment, as the decision was subject to the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings.“In case at hand, I am of the prima facie view that the action of respondent no.2 is not punitive, but, administrative in nature in view of the rider which is provided in the order/decision dated 13.05.2025, that additional special examination will be conducted for the petitioner if she is exonerated in the disciplinary proceeding,” the Court observed..The student was suspended on May 10 by the Director of the institution, pending an enquiry. The order barred her from all academic and non-academic activities until further notice. The Campus Disciplinary Committee (CDC) on May 13 upheld the suspension. She has been prohibited from appearing in internal assessments, end-semester, and backlog examinations during the suspension period. However, the CDC in its decision clarified that in the event the student is exonerated, special examinations would be conducted to ensure she suffers no academic loss..The case against the final year law student originated when a First Information Report (FIR) was registered on May 8 at Lakadganj Police Station against one Rajas Madepaddi alias Siddik.The law student was reportedly at a hotel in Nagpur with the accused at the time of his arrest. The suspension order itself does not cite this incident as the cause. Instead, the institution has referred to a set of social media posts from the student’s official Instagram handle.While most were political in nature, one specific post was flagged for presenting a view contrary to the official version of the Indian government on “Operation Sindoor.”.Challenging the suspension, the counsel representing the student contended that the suspension and debarment from examinations amounted to punishment without due process.He cited the Symbiosis International (Deemed University) Code of Conduct, 2023, which classifies such actions as punitive and only permissible after a disciplinary enquiry. He argued that no such enquiry had been completed at the time of suspension..Opposing the petition, the counsel representing the law school, maintained that the suspension was administrative in nature and issued to facilitate an ongoing enquiry. He assured the court that the enquiry would be completed on or before May 25. .The Court said the matter is at a very primitive stage and posted it for further hearing on May 27.Considering the law school's assurance that special exams would be conducted if the student is cleared, and that her results would be declared with her peers, the Court remarked, “This in my considered opinion will be sufficient to balance the equities.” The Court directed the law school to complete the enquiry and communicate its decision to the student by May 25. The student, in turn, has been instructed to cooperate with the enquiry..Advocate S Kulkarni appeared for the petitioner.Additional Government Pleader S S Jachak appeared for the State.Advocate K P Mahalle appeared for the Symbiosis Law School.[Read Order]