Kerala High Court suggests changing plea in Sanskrit university suspension case

UPDATE - follow-up to Plea by suspended Sanskrit varsity students may be amended: The Kerala High Court has asked if the petition filed by 16 students from the Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit in Kalady can be changed to challenge a university decision.

Court Hearing

Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan looked into the case where the suspended students are fighting their suspension and asking to write their semester exams. The university told the court that its Syndicate has decided to take back the suspension if the students give an unconditional apology. However, the Syndicate decided to keep four other students under suspension for two more months. The court will take up the case again on November 16.

Background

The court asked the petitioners to think about changing their plea after the university shared the Syndicate's update. Earlier, the judge had questioned why the university was still angry after keeping the students out of classes for more than 60 days. The 16 students belong to the Student Federation of India and faced suspension during an inquiry over claims that they staged a mock cremation of Vice-Chancellor Ciza Thomas, manhandled her, and tried to damage property. The students have denied all these charges. An inquiry committee set up by the Syndicate found the students guilty and suggested action against them.

Context

Courts often suggest amending petitions when new decisions or events change the legal situation while a case is ongoing. This allows judges to address the latest actions taken by authorities rather than older orders.