Mumbai: Observing that there was no discrimination by the institute, the Bombay High Court on Wednesday said it found no “illegality” or “perversity” in the two-year suspension of a Tata Institute of Social Scicences (TISS) student. The HC dismissed a plea filed last year by PhD candidate Ramadas K S challenging his April 2024 suspension over “repetitive misconduct” by holding demonstrations.
The HC said it did not find the case to be “an outcome of any discrimination or against freedom of expression.” It said the case was about involving the name of the institution “in the expression of politically motivated thoughts and protests” by the petitioner, who was a TISS student. “
If such actions are prohibited under applicable rules, then the necessary consequences of the breach are bound to follow.”
The student, “while enjoying the financial aid approved by the Institute, participated in a clearly politically motivated protest in a student group under a banner having the name PSF-TISS,” said Justices AS Chandurkar and MM Sathaye. “Therefore, the necessary effect of such conduct on the decision of the Institute about the grant is bound to follow.”
The suspension was based on material available on record and “is proportionate,” said the HC, adding, “This is not a fit case to interfere.”
In an interim order last July, the HC had directed TISS to upload the student’s documents to enable his fellowship to continue pending disposal of his petition. Ramadas had alleged a violation of the principle of natural justice and sought revocation of an April 18, 2024 suspension order by which he was suspended from TISS School of Developmental Studies for two years.
Ramadas, through senior counsel Mihir Desai and advocate Lara Jasani, questioned the report of an empowered committee of TISS recommending his suspension. He claimed the panel conducted an arbitrary inquiry without giving him the opportunity of a personal hearing and did not follow due process.
TISS, through PRS Legal, last May contended that the student’s petition be dismissed as he had a right to appeal before the Vice-Chancellor of TISS as an alternate remedy which he ought to have exercised before coming to HC. The University Grants Commission, through its counsel Rui Rodrigues, said it was for TISS to take action under its applicable code of conduct.
