Ref.No.:- PressRelease/25.07.20

 

STUDENT BAR COUNCIL 





Press Release regarding the sexual harassment allegations against the ViceChancellor of NLUJAA

The Student Bar Council(SBC) of National Law University and Judicial Academy Assam
(NLUJAA) had on 23rd July,2020 written an application to Shri Justice Ajai Lamba, Chancellor of
NLUJAA cum Chief Justice Gauhati High Court requesting him to ask the Vice Chancellor to step
down temporarily till the investigation into the sexual harassment allegations levelled against him is
complete in order to ensure a fair trial. This request was in the light of the best practices endorsed
by the Supreme Court in cases related to sexual harassment, this practice was also followed in the
case of R.K Pachauri, Ex-Chief of TERI and Shri M.J. Akbar, Ex-Union Minister of State. The SBC
had forwarded this application only to the members of the General Council and the Executive
Council. The SBC decided against making the application public because of the apprehension that it
would facilitate media trial and tarnish the image of the University. Unfortunately the SBC hasn’t
received any reply from the Chancellor’s office.
On 25th July,2020(today) an online news portal named ‘Legally India’ has published an interview
( “NLU Assam VC JS Patil denies, files counter FIR vs neighbours’ sex harass allegations, claims
backing of CJ-Chancellor” )

of the Vice-Chancellor of NLUJAA which has caused widespread

outrage among students invoking the fear of a botched up investigation and an unfair trial.
The Vice-Chancellor has claimed the ‘backing’ of the Chancellor saying, “ The Chancellor knows
that I am strict and therefore people are making these allegations”. He also says, “ He is seized of
the matter..……”. The Chancellor of NLUJAA also happens to be the Chief Justice of Gauhati High
Court and the Vice-Chancellor claiming his ‘backing’ even before the matter has been investigated
creates a dangerous precedent and provides fodder for the fear that the Vice-Chancellor may use his
connections and acquaintances in the State Judiciary to steer clear of a fair trial. The statements
given by the Vice-Chancellor may intimidate the complainant and also throw bad light on the
position of the Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court. The position of the Chief Justice is that of a
neutral arbiter, in the eyes of the common man he is the fountain of justice. The statements given by

 Ref.No.:- PressRelease/25.07.20

the Vice-Chancellor are against the principles of natural justice and may severely malign the
reputation of the Judiciary as a whole and thus should be condemned.
Also the statement made by the Vice-Chancellor, “ I am strict and therefore people are making these
allegations” portrays the student fraternity, the faculty members and all his subordinates in the
administration in bad light and amount to serious allegations. It has also come to our notice that the
Vice-Chancellor has on previous occasions used verbal abuses and un-parliamentary words laden
with gender biased innuendoes against the members of the faculty.
In the light of all these the Student Bar Council of National law University and Judicial Academy,
Assam:1. Condemns the statements made by the Vice-Chancellor which may derail the hope of a fair trial,
intimidate the complainants, blame the students, faculty and staff members of conspiracy and
may defame the position of the Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court.
2. Reiterates it’s demand that the Vice-Chancellor shall step down from his position, temporarily,
till the investigation against him is over.
3. Requests the Superintendent of Police, Kamrup Rural to ensure safety of the complainants and
their families and also to investigate into whether, as being claimed by media and the
complainants, on 18th July,2020, the day on which the Facebook post alleging sexual
harassment against the Vice-Chancellor came up,

women of the neighbourhood

protested

outside the Vice-Chancellor’s residence for the same allegations. If found true it should also be
inquired as to why the Vice-Chancellor hasn’t filed any FIR against this incident.
4. Requests the Assam State Commission for Women, The Bar Council of Assam and the Gauhati
High Court Bar Association to ensure that the complainants get proper legal assistance .
5. Requests the Hon’ble Registrar of NLUJAA to take steps to ensure that a fair trial takes place
and to not make allegations, that hurt our sentiments, like students and faculty members are
conspiring to remove the Vice-Chancellor from his position and that the sexual harassment
charges are a result of the conspiracy as has been mentioned in the complaint filed with the
Assam State Women’s Commission by the faculty members.

 Ref.No.:? PressRelease/25.07.20