Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has rusticated five PhD scholars for two consecutive semesters after finding them guilty of vandalising facial recognition gates worth approximately Rs 20 lakh at the Dr BR Ambedkar Central Library on the university campus.
Those punished include Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) president Aditi Mishra, vice president Kizhakoot Gopika Babu, general secretary Sunil Yadav, joint secretary Danish Ali, and former JNUSU president Nitish Kumar. In addition to rustication, each of the students has been fined Rs 20,000 and barred from entering the campus with immediate effect.
According to official university orders, the incident took place on November 21, 2025, when the students allegedly dismantled the facial recognition-based access control system installed at the library as part of campus security and digitisation measures. The system, installed at a cost of nearly Rs 20 lakh, was damaged beyond immediate repair.
The university stated that the students cut electrical wires using scissors, dismantled protective panels, and forcibly removed cameras from the gates. The inquiry further noted that two female security guards sustained injuries while attempting to stop the vandalism, highlighting the seriousness of the incident.
Following complaints filed by the acting librarian and the Chief Security Officer, the university constituted a proctorial inquiry committee to examine the matter. After reviewing evidence, statements and security reports, the committee concluded that the students’ actions amounted to grave misconduct under JNU’s disciplinary code.
The inquiry report held that the vandalism was not spontaneous but premeditated, observing that the students had arrived with tools specifically intended to dismantle the equipment. The committee categorised the act as involving violence, coercion, intimidation and wilful destruction of university property.
Based on the findings, JNU ordered the rustication of the five students for the Winter and Monsoon semesters of 2026. The administration also declared them “out of bounds” from the entire campus during the punishment period.
Reacting to the decision, the JNU Students’ Union condemned the university’s action, alleging that it was an attempt to suppress dissent and silence elected student representatives. The administration, however, has maintained that the disciplinary measures were necessary to uphold campus discipline, protect public property and ensure the safety of staff and students.
