Chatushrungi police have registered a case against 15 to 20 students for allegedly blocking the vehicle carrying Savitribai Phule Pune University Vice-Chancellor Dr Suresh Gosavi and Registrar Prafull Pawar during a protest against restrictions on campus demonstrations.
The incident took place at about 6.15 pm on November 4, when the two officials were leaving the university’s main building in a government vehicle and travelling towards the vice-chancellor’s residence, according to the report. A group of student activists allegedly gathered in front of the building, raised slogans and stopped the vehicle.
Police said Gosavi and Pawar were unable to proceed and eventually left the vehicle and walked to their residence. The complaint was filed by Aba Tube, a 50-year-old security supervisor with the university’s security department.
The case has been registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for allegedly obstructing public servants from carrying out their official duties. The complaint names student representatives Rahul Susane, Abhijit Gore, Ajay Bansode, Kiran Saindane and Mayur Jawale, along with 10 to 15 other activists.
The confrontation followed a dispute over a university management council resolution concerning student protests on campus. The resolution stated that demonstrations should be restricted to issues directly related to the university and its students. Several student organisations opposed the proposed restrictions and organised protests against the decision.
The university administration had earlier assured the protesting students that the matter would be discussed at a management council meeting and that a decision would be taken. The student organisations subsequently suspended their agitation following that assurance.
However, the restrictions were not withdrawn at the management council meeting held on November 4, according to the report. Students then staged a sit-in outside the main building. The vehicle blockade occurred as Gosavi and Pawar were leaving the campus after the meeting.
The police case brings the dispute beyond an administrative disagreement and into the criminal justice system, while the university’s decision on the protest circular remains the central issue between the administration and student organisations. The supplied report does not state whether any arrests have been made or specify the next date of the police investigation.
