Kerala Law Academy principal Lakshmi Nair flouted norms, finds panel

The university syndicate sub-committee probing the allegations against Kerala Law Academy has found that most of the allegations raised by students against college management were true. The panel concluded fact-finding after holding hearings with students, parents and representatives of college management. They have submitted the report at special syndicate meeting of Kerala University. 
 

The committee has come to the conclusion that the complaints of mental harassment, nepotism in the allocation of internal marks, mismanagement and anomalies were true. The panel has also found evidence to establish allegations of caste discrimination. It was also found that parents had to suffer harassment by the management, especially, principal Lakshmi Nair. 
 

Though Congress and CPI nominees in the sub-committee wanted to look into allegations of misuse of government land that was leased out to the Academy, the other members, all CPM nominees, denied looking into it. 
 

As of now the panel has only submitted a fact-finding report and has not made any recommendations towards resolving the ongoing strike at the college. However, syndicate does not have the power to remove the principal of a private college under the provisions of University Act and hence all they could do is to recommend for the cancellation of affiliation with the college. Such a recommendation might force college management to demand the resignation of principal and change its approach towards the striking students. 
 

Key findings of the report:
 

• CCTV cameras installed at women's hostel at college intrudes into privacy of students
• Only principal was vested with the power to allot internal marks to students, and faculty members had no say in it
• University norms flouted while allowing internal marks
• More marks allotted to the future daughter in law of Lakshmi Nair
• Principal refused to submit documents that were sought as part of the probe
• Audio clippings substantiated charges against principal
   

Meanwhile, State Human Rights Commission has ordered to conduct a probe into the alleged rights violation at Kerala Law Academy. The Commission has ordered a probe by a police officer, not below the rank of Deputy Superintendant of Police. The panel took action based on a petition filed by six students who alleged moral policing, showering of abuses on parents and casteist slur by the principal. 
 

Commission chairperson P Mohankumar expressed dissatisfaction over the failure of police to take action on a complaint submitted by students and asked Lakshmi Nair and Academy chairman N Narayanan Nair to submit an affidavit on the issue. 

• Kerala Law Academy
• Lakshmi Nair
• Narayanan Nair
• Law Academy strike
• nepotism
• University sub-committee