Strict guidelines aim to restore peace and student security

Expressing deep concern over repeated threats and unlawful activities near educational spaces, the Orissa High Court recently laid down 14 rigorous security guidelines for the National Law University Odisha (NLUO). Justice Sanjeeb K Panigrahi delivered these sweeping orders while officially closing a criminal case linked to the alleged kidnapping and harassment of university students.

Both involved parties reached an amicable settlement, prompting the court to halt the prosecution. However, the alarming nature of the incident forced the judiciary to intervene heavily regarding campus security measures. Justice Panigrahi firmly noted that institutions dedicated to higher education must fundamentally remain environments of dignity, intellectual freedom, and ultimate safety. He warned that any signs of vigilantism or lawlessness heavily damage the institutional ethos and severely jeopardize student welfare.

Background of the Disturbing NLUO Kidnapping Case

The urgent Orissa High Court NLUO safety directives stem from a frightening incident reported in September 2023. A fourth-year law student filed a police complaint detailing how he and a friend were targeted while returning to their campus. Three unidentified individuals pulled up in a car and forced the students inside the vehicle against their will.

According to the official complaint, the aggressors aggressively interrogated the students about drug and alcohol consumption. The situation escalated as the perpetrators hurled obscene language and made sexually offensive comments regarding the victims' female friends. While the criminal proceedings have now been quashed due to a mutual out-of-court resolution between the petitioners and the complainant, the event highlighted massive security loopholes that the court refused to ignore.

High Court’s 14-Point Mandate for NLUO Cuttack Campus

To protect Odisha law students and maintain a healthy academic atmosphere, the court introduced a comprehensive safety framework. The university administration and local police must immediately collaborate to implement these changes:

• Dedicated Police Outpost: Authorities must establish a permanent Cuttack police outpost at Naraj, led by an officer no lower than the rank of sub-inspector, to closely monitor the areas surrounding the university.
• 24x7 Campus Beat House: A continuous police presence will be stationed directly within the NLUO campus. The university is required to provide the necessary infrastructure to support these officers.
• Upgraded Surveillance and Lighting: The campus must install fully functional CCTV cameras at strategic points and ensure proper illumination in vulnerable, poorly lit areas.
• Strict Access Control: Guards will thoroughly inspect vehicles and bags at the entrance gates to completely block the smuggling of contraband materials into the premises.
• Breathalyzer Tests and Inspections: To discourage substance abuse, university officials hold the authority to conduct breathalyzer tests upon reasonable suspicion. Regular hostel inspections will also occur to ensure prohibited items remain off-campus.
• Evening Transportation: To ensure safe travel to local markets, the university must look into scheduling official bus services for students during the evening hours.
• Zero Tolerance for Intoxicants: Local law enforcement will take severe action against anyone attempting to circulate alcohol or narcotic drugs near the NLUO Cuttack campus.

Fostering a Secure Academic Future

The ruling also empowers the university to establish strong grievance redressal systems, ensuring students can report intimidation without fearing retaliation. By insisting on these proactive student security guidelines, the Orissa High Court aims to permanently shield scholars from anti-social elements. Justice Panigrahi emphasized that dismissing the specific criminal case was necessary to prevent the abuse of the legal process, given the settlement. Yet, the resulting 14-point mandate guarantees that the core issue of campus vulnerability is met with decisive, long-term action.