Patna: The Patna high court has ruled that expelling a student for an “indefinite period” amounts to the “academic death” of a person and does not stand the test of constitutional parameters. The court quashed the Aug 14, 2024, expulsion order against Akash Kumar, a postgraduate student of media studies at Mahatma Gandhi Central University (MGCU).A single-judge bench of justice Harish Kumar, while allowing Akash’s writ petition, directed MGCU authorities to reinstate him so that he could complete his course. The court also directed Akash to maintain discipline. The verdict, delivered on Sept 21, became public on Thursday.Petitioner’s counsel Prashant Kashyap told the court that Akash had recorded video clips alleging illegalities by university officials in promoting a non-teaching employee. When the university administration took no action on his complaint, Akash shared the clips on social media, prompting disciplinary action.He was suspended in July 2024, which he challenged before the high court on Aug 8. The disciplinary authorities subsequently issued an expulsion order, barring him from entering the campus or taking admission to any other course.Justice Kumar held that such harsh punishment was not provided for under laws and ordinances governing central universities. The court also found that the authorities had failed to follow due procedure and violated principles of natural justice. Court said indefinite expulsion denied him a chance to complete his course.
