Jadavpur University to seek probe panel's view on 'CCTV footage leak' of campus violence

Jadavpur University will seek the opinion of its inquiry committee before deciding whether to lodge a police complaint over the alleged unauthorised release of CCTV footage showing last month’s violence on the campus, Vice Chancellor Chiranjib Bhattacharya said on Tuesday. The move followed allegations by the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) that footage of the August 19-20 clashes between rival student groups had been sent to several news channels, which subsequently aired the clips. Bhattacharya said the university would first place the issue before the probe panel headed by a former Calcutta High Court judge and take a decision on approaching police after receiving its view.

Panel to examine leak

The controversy centres on CCTV footage purportedly capturing incidents during the violence on the night of August 19, when clashes erupted following a general meeting of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology Students’ Union (FETSU). Members of the ABVP and Left-leaning student organisations clashed on the campus, leaving several students injured, with both sides accusing each other of bringing outsiders into the university. The footage subsequently broadcast by television channels allegedly showed portions of the confrontation after an ABVP student leader was assaulted and a group entered the campus.

Bhattacharya said the inquiry committee would examine the entire sequence of events surrounding the violence as well as the alleged CCTV leak. The university wants the panel’s assessment before determining whether the release of surveillance footage to organisations outside the institution warrants a formal police complaint. The committee’s inquiry will cover both the August 19 clashes and developments the following day.

Violence spilled outside

Tensions continued on August 20 when supporters of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and ABVP separately attempted to enter the university campus from opposite ends of the same road. Police personnel deployed in the area struggled to keep the rival groups apart as scuffles broke out. During the melee, Jadavpur University’s emblem at Gate No. 4, designed by legendary artist Nandalal Bose, was pulled down.

CCTV footage aired by news channels also purportedly showed the damage to the university emblem. The incidents intensified concerns over campus security and access to the university, which has repeatedly witnessed disputes over restrictions on entry and the presence of outsiders during periods of political tension.

Night entry tightened

The university has now tightened access rules as part of measures introduced after the violence. Bhattacharya said identity cards would be mandatory for entering the campus between 7 pm and 7 am on weekdays. Entry would remain closed on Sundays and holidays as part of the strengthened security arrangements.

The new restrictions come as the inquiry committee examines responsibility for the clashes, alleged entry of outsiders, damage caused during the violence and the subsequent handling of CCTV material. The university’s decision on whether to approach police over the alleged leak will now depend on the panel’s findings, adding another dimension to the investigation into the two days of unrest on the Jadavpur campus.