On Monday, the Bombay High Court overturned the expulsion of a Pune student linked to her social media post. The student was accused of sharing a controversial post about Operation Sindoor.
Justices MS Karnik and NR Borker recognized that the college had failed to follow natural justice principles during the expulsion order as the student wasn't given an opportunity to defend herself. This 19-year-old student, enrolled in the fourth semester at Sinhgad Academy of Engineering, faced expulsion after being arrested on May 9, with her social media post cited as the reason.
Following the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam and the subsequent actions taken by India against terrorist camps in Pakistan, the student shared a post about Operation Sindoor on her social media handle on May 7. Though she removed the post the same day and issued a public apology, an FIR was filed accusing her of potentially inciting communal tension and affecting national security.
Last month, the High Court expressed surprise over her arrest and granted her bail. While in custody, she missed two exam papers and practicals, but she took subsequent scheduled exams upon release. She has also written to the authorities requesting permission to retake the missed exams.
