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October 19, 2003 

Violent students to be made liable for loss  

In an important ruling, Kerala High Court has ruled that striking students, who resorted to violence in college campuses, were to be dealt with like "any other offender" and should be made liable for any loss to the college property during the strike.

"If the situation warranted, police could enter campuses without request or permission to prevent criminal activities. No special treatment could be meted to the striking students, who indulged in violence, solely on the ground that they were students or the incidents took place inside the campus," a Division Bench comprising Justice Cyriac Joseph and Justice K K Denesan on Friday observed.

But since the college was a 'temple of learning', any action on the campus should, as far as possible, be taken with the knowledge of the college authorities, the Bench said.

Making it clear that students on strike had no right to cause obstruction or disturbance to the conduct of classes or prevent others from attending classes, the Bench said students, not participating in the strike, had a right to attend the classes.

Demonstrations, processions and strikes on the campus should be held outside the campus so that no disturbance would be caused to the smooth functioning of the college, the court said.

Courtesy: Press Trust of India