Gujarat High Court Directs GNLU To Reconstitute Fact-Finding Committee Amidst Rape And Harassment Allegations

In response to allegations of rape and harassment at Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), the Gujarat High Court has instructed the university to restructure its fact-finding committee. A two-judge Bench comprising Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Aniruddha Mayee expressed concerns about the university's handling of the investigation, suggesting it was aimed at preserving the institution's image rather than ensuring a thorough and transparent inquiry.

The court emphasized its unease with the university's efforts, stating, "The manner in which the inquiry is being done by the University seems to be an effort to cover up the whole issue, to save the image of the institution." It further scrutinized an affidavit submitted by the university's Registrar, suggesting it was a hasty attempt to dismiss the allegations. The court urged the institution to rethink its approach.

The allegations came to light through an anonymous Instagram post, prompting a suo motu response from the high court. One student claimed she was raped by a fellow student, while another alleged harassment due to their sexual orientation. These revelations were first reported by Ahmedabad Mirror on September 22.

The court also questioned the presence of Prof. Anjani Singh Tomar, Chairperson of GNLU's Internal Complaints Committee, on the fact-finding committee. Prof. Tomar had previously submitted a report that found no students approached her regarding the allegations.

To ensure a more impartial investigation, the court suggested reconstituting the committee with independent members and asked the university to investigate the functioning of the Internal Complaints Committee before its reconstitution.

Author: Anushka Taraniya

News Writer, MIT ADT University