Student denied admission to the University for exercising his right under the Right to Information Act, 2005

Denial of admission; victimization; corruption in higher educational institution

Sample letter:

Dear _________,

INDIA: Student denied admission to the University for exercising his right under law

Name of the victims:
1. Mr. Djhananjay Tripathi, a resident of D 25/21-22 Ganga Mahal, Rajghat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
2. Mr. Yogesh Kumar Rai, former student of the Bachelor of Physical Education course at the Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Alleged perpetrators:
1. Professor Panjab Singh, the Vice Chancellor, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
2. Mr. N. Sundaram, the Registrar, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
3. Dr. Vishwnath Pandey, the Central Public Information Officer, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
4. Professor Chudamani Gopal, Medical Superintendent, Sir Sundar Lal Hospital, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
5. Dr. D.N. Singh, the Chief Medical Officer, Emergency Out Patient Department, Sir Sundar Lal Hospital, Banaras Hindu University, Uttar Pradesh
6. Dr. R.S. Sharma, the Senior Medical Officer, Sir Sundar Lal Hospital, Banaras Hindu University, Uttar Pradesh
7. Dr. R. K Gupta, the Senior Medical Officer, Sir Sundar Lal Hospital, Banaras Hindu University, Uttar Pradesh
8. Dr. K.K. Tripathi, Sir Sundar Lal Hospital, Banaras Hindu University, Uttar Pradesh
9. Dr. Munish Chauhan, Sir Sundar Lal Hospital, Banaras Hindu University, Uttar Pradesh
10. Professor S. K. Singh, the Chief Proctor, Sir Sundar Lal Hospital, Banaras Hindu University, Uttar Pradesh
Date and place of Incident: Since January 2005, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi  

I am writing to express my concern regarding the death of a student at the Sir Sundar Lal Hospital affiliated to the Banaras Hindu University due to alleged neglect in treatment and the victimization of yet another student who tried to bring the circumstances relatedto the student’s death into public attention.

I am informed that Mr. Yogesh Kumar Rai, a former student of the Bachelor of PhysicalEducation course at the Banaras Hindu University died at the Sir Sundar Lal Hospital on 11 January 2005. It is alleged that Rai’s death was due to the neglect of the hospital staff at the Sir Sundar Lal Hospital. I am also informed that the students staged a protest soon after the death and the Vice Chancellor was forced to order an enquiry into the incidents that led to the death of Mr. Rai at the University Hospital.

I am informed that the report of inquiry held several hospital and university staff responsible for the situation that led to Rai’s death. Since the report was not made public, Mr. Djhananjay Tripathi, another student at the university filed a petition under the Right toInformation Act, 2005 requiring a copy of the enquiry report. I am informed that the report was not given to Tripathi even though he took the matter in appeal and further to the Central Information Commission.

I am also informed that the Central Information Commission ordered that the report should be given to the applicant, Mr. Tripathi, which the university failed to comply. Owingto the failure, the concerned officer was ordered by the Central Information Commissionto pay fine as compensation to Tripathi. I am also informed that in the meanwhile Tripathi who appeared for two consecutive admission examinations for the master’s programme [M.P.Ed.] at the university was denied admission contrary to Tripathi’s belief of his academic skills and his performance in the examination. I am informed that suspecting foul play Tripathi requested an inquiry into his examination results and it is alleged that in the inquiry it was found that the university was denying admission to Tripathi to seek vengeance against him. I am also informed that the Assistant Registrar of the Central Information Commission has ordered the university to immediately admit Tripathi for the course which he was qualified to join and also asked the university authorities not tovictimize any student who exercise his right for information against the university.

I am concerned to know that inspite of all these, the university has denied admission toTripathi and the reason for the death of Mr. Yogesh Kumar Rai still remains a mystery.

I therefore urge you to immediately inquire into this case and ensure the following:

1. That the report of inquiry conducted into the death of Mr. Yogesh Kumar Rai is providedto Mr.  Djhananjay Tripathi in compliance with the orders of the Central Information Commission;

2. That Mr. Djhananjay Tripathi is admitted into the course that he has applied for at the Banaras Hindu University in accordance with the order issued against the university by the Assistant Registrar of the Central Information Commission;

3. That the university takes immediate action against the corrupt and negligent officers mentioned in the report concerning the death of Mr. Yogesh Kumar Rai and;

4. That the officers responsible for denying admission to Mr. Djhananjay Tripathi are punished.

Yours sincerely,

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