Restrain students from holding protests within 100m of admn block: JNU asks HC

The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Administration knocked the Delhi High Court's door to seek direction to restrain its students from staging any demonstration within 100 metres of the administrative block.

On March 17, the court had reversed its order which made JNU's famous protest site- 'Freedom Square' inaccessible for students and the order had restrained the students from protesting within 100 metres of the block.

Later, the court's reversed order stated that students could hold demonstrations as long as they were peaceful and the noise levels were kept to a minimum.

It also prohibited students from blocking access to the administrative facility. A hearing of the university's plea has been scheduled for April 12.

The plea by the JNU administration was filed before Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, who had recently asked the students to ensure maintain decent decibel levels during the protests so that there was no disturbance in the functioning of the University.

The petition by JNU's counsel Monika Arora has sought 'immediate indulgence of the court' while highlighting that on March 23, the

students had staged a dharna, burnt the effigy of the Vice-Chancellor outside the administrative block and blocked entry and exit of university officials.

The varsity's administration requested Justice Sanjeev Sachdev, to issue a directive against protests and stated the varsity should be provided with adequate police protection when required and that "no dharna/demonstration/street plays etc be allowed with or without noise-making instruments within 100 metres of the administrative block of the JNU".

Meanwhile, the court has fixed the flea for hearing on April 12.