Afzal Guru row: JNU panel finds 21 students guilty, fine

reduced for few New Delhi, Aug 23 (PTI) The appellate authority whichheard the appeals of the 21 JNU students who were penalised inconnection with the controversial February 9 event has foundall of them guilty of indiscipline even as the financialpenalty imposed on some of them has been reduced. "The panel has found guilty the 21 students who werepenalised in connection with the February 9 event. Thepunishments still stand but fines imposed on few students havebeen reduced. Fresh letters informing the decision have beenissued to students," a source said. There was, however, no clarity on who all have benefitedwith reduction of penalty. In the light of the recommendation of the High LevelEnquiry Committee and subsequently the recommendation of thepanel constituted to assist the Appellate Authority, theuniversity had yesterday informed that the Vice Chancellor hascome to a conclusion and has taken the final decisionon the appeals made by the students. JNU was at the centre of a controversy in February thisyear because of an event on campus against hanging ofParliament attack convict Afzal Guru during whichanti-national slogans were allegedly raised. Three students including the students union presidentKanhaiya Kumar were arrested in a sedition case over the eventand are now out on bail. 21 JNU students were slapped withvaried punishments ranging from rustication, hostel debarmentto financial penalty on basis of the probe by the HLEC whichfound them guilty of violation of discipline norms. The students had gone on an indefinite hunger strikeagainst the decision which lasted for 16 days. As the varsityrefused to relent and withdraw the punitive action proposedagainst the students despite their failing health, somestudents moved the Delhi High Court challenging the action. Following this, the High Court issued directions to JNUSUto immediately withdraw the hunger strike and to not launchany fresh agitation. It had stayed action against the studentstill their appeals have been decided by the appellateauthority. JNU had then formed a four-member committee to hearappeals of those who had been found guilty of indiscipline bythe varsity probe panel. PTI GJSRG