Do Not Be Misled by Misinformation; Discipline, Academic Environment and Rule of Law Are Our Highest Priorities: Prof. Raj Kumar Mittal

Lucknow: The Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor of BBAU, Prof. Raj Kumar Mittal, warmly welcomed all students admitted to Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU), Lucknow for the new Academic Session 2026–27. He stated that BBAU has always placed the welfare and interests of its students at the highest priority. The University is continuously striving to provide quality education, modern laboratories, scholarship opportunities, research support, hostel facilities, sports, cultural activities, counselling services, mental health support, gender sensitization, an effective grievance redressal mechanism, and a safe and inclusive campus environment. He further stated that the doors of the University are always open to address students’ concerns, and dialogue and democratic processes are given due importance. However, acts of indiscipline, violence, coercive pressure tactics, and damage to University property cannot be tolerated under any circumstances. Safeguarding the dignity of the institution, maintaining an academic atmosphere, and protecting the interests of students remain the foremost responsibilities of the University administration. Accordingly, every decision is taken in a fair, transparent, and legally compliant manner. Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University remains firmly committed to the holistic development of students, a safe and disciplined academic environment, and transparent governance. The University’s objective is not only to impart quality education, promote research, and encourage innovation but also to nurture responsible citizens. In keeping with this commitment, the University follows a policy of making decisions based on facts, established rules, and the principles of natural justice. Therefore, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mittal has appealed to students and parents not to pay attention to misleading information circulating on social media or through any other unofficial channels.
It is noteworthy that Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University has consistently earned national recognition for its academic excellence and research achievements. The University has been accredited with an A++ Grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). It secured the 37th position in the University category and 69th position in the Overall category in the NIRF 2025 Rankings. Furthermore, the University ranked 19th among Central Universities in the IIRF 2026 Rankings, reflecting its sustained commitment to excellence in education, research, innovation, and academic quality.
It may be recalled that on the night of 26 April 2026, a sick female student of the University, who was originally from Varanasi, passed away after having returned to her hometown with her family on 20 April 2026. According to the hostel records, the student had not consumed meals in the hostel mess after 9 April 2026. Following her demise, on the night of 28 April 2026, certain students assembled outside the Vice-Chancellor’s residence, during which incidents of vandalism, looting, and damage to University property were reported. Treating these incidents with utmost seriousness, the University administration constituted a Proctorial Committee to ensure an impartial and fact-based inquiry into the entire matter.
Based on the medical records and reports submitted before the Committee, the cause of the student’s death was determined to be pneumonia and breathing related issues. During the course of the investigation, it also came to light that certain anti-social elements and some students had attempted to spread misleading and unverified information through social media, linking the student’s death to alleged food poisoning caused by the hostel mess food. However, the available medical evidence did not substantiate these claims.
The Committee conducted a comprehensive and impartial inquiry by thoroughly examining all available evidence. CCTV footage, video recordings, photographs, statements of concerned individuals, evidence collected by security personnel, documentary records, and other relevant materials were carefully scrutinized. The Committee ensured complete fairness and transparency throughout the inquiry and refrained from taking any unilateral decision. The concerned students were given an opportunity to appear personally before the Committee. They were shown the available CCTV footage, video recordings, electronic evidence, and documentary records, and their statements and explanations were recorded in detail. After hearing all parties, examining every piece of evidence, and fully adhering to the principles of natural justice, the Committee unanimously submitted its recommendations, based on which the University administration initiated disciplinary action in accordance with the applicable rules.
In accordance with the unanimous recommendations of the Disciplinary Committee and the University’s existing rules, ordinances, and disciplinary provisions, disciplinary action has been taken against 26 current students and 4 former students. The penalties imposed include monetary fines, many of which are yet to be deposited by the concerned students. In addition, their entry into the University campus has been restricted as per the applicable rules. Furthermore, some students have been suspended for one week, while others have been suspended for longer durations depending on the nature and gravity of their involvement. These actions have been taken strictly in accordance with the University’s rules and the recommendations of the Proctorial Committee.
The University administration has also clarified that the disciplinary proceedings include students whose involvement was established in the incident of vandalism and damage to University property that occurred at the Vice-Chancellor’s Office on 17 September 2025. The University does not tolerate violence, vandalism, disorderly conduct, or damage to public property under any circumstances, and it remains its responsibility to take appropriate action in accordance with the prescribed rules.
The University administration appeals to all students and parents not to believe any misleading, unverified, or rumour-based information circulated on social media or through unofficial sources. They are advised to rely only on official communications and authenticated information issued by the University. The University also expects all students to uphold discipline, academic decorum, and mutual harmony, and to actively contribute towards preserving the dignity and reputation of the institution.

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