A high-level committee formed by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) to probe the February 9, 2016, incident has upheld the rustication of student leader Umar Khalid and a fine of Rs 10,000 on then students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar.
Financial penalties had also been imposed on 13 other students for their alleged involvement in the campus event organised to protest Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru's hanging, during which anti-national slogans were reportedly raised.
The University administration has not released any official statement on the development. Sources confirmed that communications were sent to these students via e-mail on Wednesday evening.
Warnings have been issued to female students whose name had figured in the controversy.
The students had moved the Delhi High Court that had directed the University to review the panel's decision.
Despite several attempts, both students could not be reached for a comment.
However, other students who have received the e-mails from the administration said that they have been asked to submit the fine by July 18. "I have been slapped with a fine of Rs 5,000," said a PhD scholar, who is among the other 13 students.
Sources also confirmed that patently has been reduced for some students on the High Court's recommendation. "The committee had earlier recommended my suspension from the hostel and a fine of Rs 5,000. Now, I have been asked to pay only the fine," said another student.
Meanwhile, JNU Students' Union issued a statement, condemning the development. "Even after two years of the incident, the Delhi police could not file a charge sheet against JNU students. This decision of the committee is nothing but a gross misuse of power. The committee's punishments have been set aside by the Delhi High Court twice in the past. We are looking into all legal remedies to overturn this order as well," the JNUSU said.
The February 9 incident had snowballed into a national controversy. Khalid, Kumar and Anirban Bhattacharya were arrested on Sedition charges, following which widespread protests were staged across the country.
