HC stays JNU inquiry against teachers for protest march

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday stayed the inquiry initiated by

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) against its 45 faculty members for allegedly participating in a protest march in July last year.

Justice Suresh Kait sought response of the JNU administration on the plea by the teachers challenging the charge sheets issued by the varsity against 48 faculty members for allegedly taking part in the strike/ protest.

The court listed the matter on October 10 for further hearing.

The teachers, represented through senior advocate Kapil Sibal, said they had sent individual responses to the show cause notices stating that no misconduct or violation of rules had taken place, as alleged by the varsity.

The petition, filed by 45 faculty members, said the charge sheets issued against them relied on three grounds to implicate them in the alleged "mala fide inquiry".

One of the grounds was that the CCS (Conduct) Rules prohibit government servants from resorting to or abetting strikes, coercion or physical duress in matters pertaining to service.