The Kerala High Court, in the case of Alochious Xavier, President of the Kerala Student Union (KSU) v State of Kerala & Ors., ruled on Tuesday that students organizing the tech fest ‘DHISHNA at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) on November 25 should not bear blame for the stampede resulting in the tragic death of 4 students and injuries to 64 others.
Justice Devan Ramachandran underscored the importance of avoiding a blame game involving the students, asserting that it could be a failure of the system that led to the unfortunate events.
“I don’t want any blame game on any students; it will leave a big impact on them. The families are robbed of their existence. No students should be scarred. No students who organized the event should be blamed. The minds of the young children should not be subjected to a blame game. The young people have to live…Unfortunately, we react after the incident. Accidents don’t happen on purpose. Fingers point to some system failure. I want to know what inquiries are going on,” observed Justice Ramachandran orally.
The Court then directed the Additional Advocate General (Additional AG) and Government pleader to obtain instructions on the nature of inquiries initiated by the State government.
The High Court considered a plea filed by Alochious Xavier, seeking a judicial inquiry into the stampede. Xavier, the President of KSU, alleged that the mishap occurred due to the inaction of university authorities, including the vice chancellor, registrar, and principal of CUSAT.
The petition criticized the single entry and exit point at the theater, inadequate monitoring of the amphitheater’s designated space, and accused CUSAT’s registrar of neglecting security requests.
Xavier claimed that the State Police’s investigation was biased due to political influences, pointing to the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) coalition’s office bearers in the University’s Syndicate and Senate. The petition highlighted the failure to record statements from key respondents and stressed the need for a detailed investigation.
Xavier submitted a representation to the Vice Chancellor of CUSAT, requesting a report for the constitution of an independent judicial commission, but received no response. This led him to approach the High Court, urging the appointment of an impartial judicial commission, if necessary.
The petition is scheduled for further consideration on December 14 and was filed through advocates Rebin Vincent Gralan, Dinesh G Warrior, and Vimal Vijay.