BBC Documentary Issue: DHC Seeks DU’s Reply On Student’s Leader Plea Over His Thesis Submission

Lokesh Chugh, PhD Scholar and National Secretary of NSUI, has moved before the Delhi High Court against Delhi University’s “inaction and delay” in accepting his thesis.

This comes despite the quashing of the university’s decision to bar him from taking examinations for a year over his alleged involvement in the screening of a BBC documentary on PM Narendra Modi.

Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, who overturned the debarment judgement, issued a notice on Chugh’s petition and sought reply from the Delhi University and other authorities, while listing the matter for further consideration on July 17, 2023.

Chugh, who is represented by Advocates Naman Joshi and Ritika Vohra, has stated that he has been running from pillar to post in an attempt to submit his Ph.D. thesis to the university, but has received no answer from the authorities.

According to the petition, the Vice Chancellor of Delhi University stated publicly during a media interaction that the university intends to file an appeal against the verdict.

During today’s hearing, Chugh’s counsel argued that the university had not filed an appeal and that the ruling had not yet been stayed.

Allowing Chugh to present the case before the vacation bench, Justice Kaurav told the university to follow the verdict if there is no stay, according to Chugh’s lawyer.

On April 27, Justice Kaurav overturned DU’s decision for “violation of natural justice” and restored Chugh’s admission in the University.

The court dismissed Chugh’s petition, which challenged the memorandum passed by the office of University’ Registrar on March 10 debarring him from sitting the exams for a period of one year. He had also contested which held that he was involved in a disturbance of law and order at the university during the screening of the documentary.