Akash Saharan v. Punjab Engineering College (Deemed To Be University), Chandigarh And Others
IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA
AT CHANDIGARH Date of Decision : May 08, 2026 AKASH SAHARAN -PETITIONER V/S PUNJAB ENGINEERING COLLEGE (DEEMED TO BE UNIVERSITY), CHANDIGARH AND OTHERS -RESPONDENTS
CORAM:
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE KULDEEP TIWARI
Present:
Mr. Umaid Singh Mann, Advocate for the petitioner.
Mr. K.K. Gupta, Advocate for the respondents.
*** KULDEEP TIWARI, J. (ORAL) 1.
Through the instant writ petition, the petitioner assails the order dated 29.12.2025 passed by the respondent No.2-Dean, Student Affairs, whereby he has been suspended from the Institute for two academic semesters (January-June 2026 and July-December 2026). The petitioner further challenges the order dated 09.03.2026, whereby the representation submitted by his father against the suspension order has been rejected by the Discipline Committee of the Institute.
2.
Drawing the attention of this Court to the impugned order dated 29.12.2025, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that a discriminatory yardstick has been applied by the respondent No.2 while imposing punishment upon the students involved in the fight. It is contended that the petitioner was not the aggressor and the incident was, in fact, a free fight amongst the students. It is further submitted that, for such a trivial issue, the
petitioner has been subjected to the harsh consequence of losing an entire academic year by way of disciplinary suspension. 3.
Learned counsel further submits that there had been no prior complaint of indiscipline against the petitioner and that, although all material facts were narrated before the Discipline Committee, the same were not properly considered before imposing the stringent punishment upon the petitioner without any reasoned basis.
4.
Per contra, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the respondent-Institute submits that the petitioner was the ringleader, inasmuch as outsiders entered the campus at his instance and caused injuries to fellow students. It is submitted that statements of various students were recorded during the course of inquiry, which established that the petitioner had played the role of a ringleader in the occurrence. It is further submitted that the petitioner's cohorts were armed with deadly weapons, thereby disturbing the peace and discipline of the campus.
5.
It is contended that the impugned disciplinary action has been taken only after due consideration of the gravity of the incident, the injuries sustained by the students, and upon conclusion of an inquiry conducted by the Discipline Committee. It is further submitted that punishment has been imposed upon each student commensurate with his role in the occurrence and no discriminatory treatment has been meted out to the petitioner. It is also pointed out that no allegation of mala fide has been levelled against any member of the Discipline Committee and, therefore, the scope of interference by this Court in exercise of writ jurisdiction is limited. 6.
Having heard learned counsel for the parties and upon perusal
of the record, this Court observes at the outset that the impugned order is not liable to be examined as if this Court were sitting in appeal over the decision of the disciplinary authority. The scope of judicial review is confined to examining whether any illegality or procedural infirmity has been committed by the respondents while taking disciplinary action against the petitioner.
7.
A perusal of the record reveals that adequate opportunity of hearing was afforded to the petitioner and the Discipline Committee conducted the inquiry in a fair manner. It was only thereafter that a factual finding came to be recorded to the effect that the petitioner was the principal cause of the incidents of violence, which occurred on 3rd and 5th December, 2025. This Court has also examined the impugned order dated 29.12.2025, whereby disciplinary action has been taken against the petitioner as well as other students involved in the occurrence. The following disciplinary action has been imposed upon the petitioner:- S. No. Name of the Student SID Disciplinary Actions Akash Saharan 24102114
1. Academic suspension from the institute for one year 25262 (JanJune, 2026) & 26271 (July-Dec, 2026).
2. Debarred from any position in the Institute's student bodies/PEC fest.
3. Satisfactory counselling session report of four weeks under the student counsellor.
4. Fine of Rs. 10,000/-.
5. 'D' grade will be awarded in the discipline course (DEC 101)
6. Hostel expulsion for the remaining degree course w.e.f.
January, 2026 onwards.
8.
The petitioner has already suffered the consequence of losing one academic semester (January-June 2026), and he cannot be permitted to appear in the examinations for the said semester, having not attended the classes. This Court is of the considered view that the punishment already undergone by the petitioner, namely the loss of one academic semester, would sufficiently meet the ends of justice. Moreover, the petitioner has expressed his willingness to furnish an affidavit of apology before the Institute, undertaking that no such act of indiscipline shall be repeated in future.
9.
Consequently, the impugned order dated 29.12.2025, insofar as it relates to the disciplinary action imposed upon the petitioner, stands modified in the following manner:- S. No. Name of the Student SID Disciplinary Actions Akash Saharan 24102114
1. Academic suspension from the institute for one semester 25262 (Jan-June, 2026).
2. Debarred from any position in the Institute's student bodies/PEC fest.
3. Satisfactory counselling session report of four weeks under the student counsellor.
4. Hostel expulsion for the remaining degree course w.e.f.
January, 2026 onwards.
10.
The writ petition stands disposed of accordingly. (KULDEEP TIWARI) May 08, 2026 JUDGE devinder Whether speaking/reasoned :
Yes/No Whether Reportable :
Yes/No