Fatehgarh Sahib: Taking strong note of glaring deficiencies found in the working of the nursing courses run by Desh Bhagat University (DBU) and the physical assault students faced, the Punjab government has launched a criminal case against the institution besides directing it to pay a fine of Rs 10 lakh to each affected student.
Earlier, students, majority of them girl students from Kashmir, were subjected to physical assault, intimidation, character assassination and even life threats by the DBU staff when they protested against the varsity’s criminal actions.
Last week, several videos appeared on social media sites showing students being beaten up, dragged and verbally abused by the people associated with the university.
The Punjab medical education department had conducted an inspection of the institution after students launched an agitation against the management of the varsity. A departmental team conducted an inspection on September 16 and 17, revealing that the varsity had admitted more than double the number of students allowed by the Indian Nursing Council (INC), as reported by Free Press Kashmir.
The university lacked necessary physical infrastructure to accommodate these additional students. The students admitted beyond the approved seat capacity have taken to protesting, placing blame on the DBU management for “ruining” their careers.
Earlier, police booked the chancellor of DBU on various charges, including cheating and criminal breach of trust, following a complaint by the students, reads an FIR copy in possession of Free Press Kashmir.
Deputy Superintendent of Police G S Bains said the case was registered against Zora Singh, chancellor of the Desh Bhagat University, Amloh in Fatehgarh Sahib and seven others.
The case was registered against the university authorities under relevant sections including 420 (cheating) and 406 (criminal breach of trust) of the Indian Penal Code, police said.
Police also assured the protesting students that a case, which was registered against many protesting students a few days back, would be withdrawn. They students were earlier booked accusing them of clashing with security personnel.
