JNU row: Varsity grants another extension to probe panel on Afzal Guru event

New Delhi: The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has again granted an extension to the high-level committee set up by it to inquire into an event held in varsity campus against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru during which anti-national slogans were allegedly raised. [caption id=“attachment_2657736” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] New Delhi: JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar with students after reaching at the JNU campus upon his release on bail, in New Delhi on Thursday. PTI[/caption] The panel which was instituted on 10 February, a day after the controversial event took place was supposed to submit its report by February 25 following which it was granted an extension till 3 March. “The panel’s deadline has been now extended till 11 March,” a senior university official told PTI. He, however, refused to comment on the reasons behind it. On the basis of a preliminary report by the panel, the varsity had debarred eight students from academic activity while allowing them to stay as guests in hostels till the inquiry proceedings were over. While the committee initially had three members, under pressure from teachers and students for broadening its scope, the university had added two more members to the panel. The students, however, have refused to depose before the enquiry panel demanding that the investigation be started afresh to ensure a fair process. While the JNU Students Union President Kanhaiya Kumar was released on bail on Thursday, two students- Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya are still in judicial custody. PTI