By TCN Staff Correspondent
Aligarh: The Allahabad High Court last week directed the investigating officers investigating the death of Prof. Siras not to arrest some of the professors and officials of the Aligarh Muslim University in relation with the case of the death of Prof Siras. The court has directed the investigating officers that Prof M Zubair Khan (Proctor), Dr Rahat Abrar (PRO), Dr Fareed Khan (Deputy Proctor)and Prof NAK Durrani (Media Advisor) should not be arrested unless there is credible information against the above-said in the case. The direction was passed by the Bench comprising Justice Vinod Prasad and Justice Rajesh Chandra.
The court directive has come in the case related to the death of Professor Srinivas Ramchander Siras. Prof Siras, who was the chair of the Department of Modern Indian Languages at the AMU, was suspended by the university when he was found to be involved in homosexuality in a sting operation. The professor approached the court against the charge-sheet by the university and gained a repeal of his suspension, but was found dead a few days later. Though initially considered as suicide, the death was later registered as a case of murder and several persons were arrested.
The court has also reportedly opined that the investigation of the case should proceed in a fair and impartial manner in view of the disclosure of cognizable offence in the FIR, while refusing to quash the FIR. Senior Counsel SMA Kazmi argued the case on behalf of Prof. M. Zubair Khan, Dr. Rahat Abrar, Dr. Fareed Khan and Prof. N. A. K. Durrani, Proctor, PRO, Deputy Proctor and Media Advisor respectively of Aligarh Muslim University. While arguing on behalf of the petitioners Kazmi pointed out that Prof Siras was found to be homosexual. Some media persons had conducted a sting operation on him. The petitioners had gone on the spot as part of their duty and submitted a report the next day before the VC. The VC then put Prof Siras under suspension on February 9, 2010.
The AMU issued a charge-sheet to Prof Siras on February 24. He filed an FIR with the police on the 4th of March alleging there was a conspiracy behind the sting operation. The High Court on April 1 stayed his suspension order and order for his re-instatement was passed on April 5. However, Prof Siras was found dead on April 7.
Two local journalists were arrested by the police in connection with the death of the professor. Several human rights activists and academicians have asked for a CBI probe into the death of the professor in a petition sent to President Pratibha Patil on May 5.