Police have registered a case against 15 to 20 students of Savitribai Phule Pune University after a protest in which the Vice-Chancellor’s official vehicle was allegedly blocked outside the university office on November 4. The case was registered at the Chaturshringi police station following a complaint by Aba Bajirao Thube, 50.
The students named in the complaint include Rahul Sasane, Abhijit Gore, Ajay Bansode, Kiran Dilip Saindane and Mayur Jawale, along with others. According to the report, the case invokes Sections 126(2), 189, 189(2) and 221 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The provisions cited in the complaint relate to allegedly obstructing a government employee from carrying out lawful duties and creating an obstruction in government work.
The protest followed dissatisfaction among students over the university’s response to a circular concerning permission to hold an agitation on campus. The students had sought a positive response, but police said the lack of a satisfactory reply led to the protest outside the university office.
During the demonstration, some students allegedly climbed onto the Vice-Chancellor’s official vehicle, while others sat in front of it and raised slogans. The complaint states that the vehicle was stopped and that the Vice-Chancellor was prevented from travelling to his scheduled destination.
Police said Rahul Sasane and other students gathered without permission and formed an unlawful assembly while raising slogans. The complaint also alleges that Thube was obstructed while performing his government duty. The report does not state whether any student has been arrested or whether the university has announced disciplinary action in connection with the incident.
The case places the handling of campus protests at the intersection of student representation, university administrative procedures and public-order enforcement. The immediate dispute arose from the students’ demand for permission to conduct an agitation, while the police action concerns the alleged obstruction of official work and movement of the Vice-Chancellor’s vehicle.
Police Sub-Inspector Koli is conducting the investigation. Further action will depend on the police inquiry into the allegations and the statements and evidence collected in the case.
