KARACHI: The Sindh High Court has allowed vice chancellor of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University (SMBBMU), Larkana, who was sent on forced leave in the wake of suicidal deaths of two students, to resume charge, and directed the government to deploy lady police commandos at all girls’ hostels in public sector universities and colleges across Sindh.

A double bench headed by Justice Aftab Ahmed Gorar passed the orders while hearing a petition filed by SMBBMU VC Prof Dr Aneela Atta-ur-Rehman on Wednesday, challenging her forced leave, and asked for the preliminary inquiry report the court had directed to be produced on the last hearing of the petition.

The bench noted that apparently, the allegations leveled against the petitioner were yet to be proved and no material had been placed on record to keep her out of such vital position. Thus, she might continue as VC, it ordered.

It granted two weeks to the inquiry committee to file its preliminary recommendations about the role of SMBBMU VC in the suicidal deaths of MBBS students, Nimirta Chandani and Nosheen Kazmi. The bench made it clear that no further time would be allowed after the end of two weeks and thence the law would take its own course.

It directed Rangers and police to provide protection to female students from tyranny and highhandedness of criminal minded men so that they could study with dignity and peace of mind. The issue was sensitive as life and liberty of female students were involved. “We may observe that the work environment for women in a male-dominated society is often hostile and antagonistic hindering their contribution to the country’s development as well as their right to study/employment,” it added.

The bench observed that it was their constitutional duty to protect women and ensure they participated fully in all spheres of national life.

The petitioner’s counsel argued that MBBS students’ suicidal deaths had prompted the competent authority to send her on forced leave and said the entire exercise in this regard was based on presumption as no concrete evidence was available on record to punish her.

Nimirta Chandani, a final-year BDS student, was found dead in her hostel room in September 2019 and Nosheen Shah Kazmi, a fourth-year MBBS student, had allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself from ceiling fan in her hostel room in November 2021.

Meanwhile, the bench also allowed VC of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University of Veterinary and Animals Sciences, Sakrand, to resume his charge.

VC Dr Farooque Hassan moved the SHC through his lawyer and contended that he had been sent on 45-day forced leave to punish him on account of one Dr Jahangir, a private doctor. The counsel argued that the petitioner was neither involved in corrupt practices nor responsible for the action of Dr Jahangir.

Published in Dawn, March 10th, 2022