Jadavpur University has questioned the “jurisdiction” of the state commission for protection of child rights and asked the commission “not to proceed any further with the show-cause notices,” which were issued in connection with the death of a first-year student at JU.
The commission said the student was a minor and that it was within its rights to intervene in the matter.
JU sent a letter to the West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights (WBCPCR) on Monday in response to a show-cause notice. The panel is expected to send a response to JU on Wednesday, sources said.
The commission has sent two notices to JU. The first was for allegedly flouting a Supreme Court order and UGC guidelines on ragging.
The commission was unhappy with JU’s response and asked the authorities why proceedings should not be initiated against them.
“We have explained our stand to the commission. We hope they will not further
send us show-causes notices,” JU registrar Snehamanju Basu said.
JU wrote to the commission: “We have to state that your show-cause notice dated 14th August, 2023 and your notice dated 18th August, 2023... may kindly be relooked... for the purpose of ascertaining the existence of jurisdiction or sustainability of continuance of the same, in view of the peculiar facts and circumstances, and the ongoing police investigation....”
The university has also said that the hostel campus of the university is not dedicated primarily to “child”.
JU also wrote: “The Commission may be pleased not to proceed any further with the show-cause notices.”
Ananya Chatterjee Chakraborti, adviser to the commission, told The Telegraph: “They (JU) cannot tell us not to proceed. We will stay on and get our answers. We are governed by the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act and can intervene anywhere in the best interest of the child.”
Chatterjee Chakraborti said anyone who is below 18 is considered a child. The first-year student was 17.