In an order that is the first of its kind, the Central Information Commission (CIC) has ordered the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) to admit a student who was denied admission earlier.

Dhanajay Tripathi, an applicant for the Masters in Physical Education course had complained to the commission that the university had denied him admission as he had filed an Right To Information (RTI) application seeking certain information that the university did not want to divulge. In its order, the commission has directed the university to not only admit Dhanajay, but also ensure that he is not victimised in the future.

Dhanajay Tripathi, a IIIrd year student of BHU’s Bachelor in Physical Education course had filed an RTI application in January 2005. He wanted the university to make public the findings of a university committee appointed to look into a student’s death. On January 11, Yogesh Rai, a BPE student had died in the SS Hospital on the university campus. Following the death, there was a clash between the doctors and students. The university, then, had formed an inquiry committee to look into the incident. The report submitted by the panel was never made public by the university as it claimed the report was not satisfactory.

In one of the hearings before the information commission, Dhanajay alleged he was unfairly denied admission in the Masters of Physical Education course by the authorities. The CIC found the allegations serious and an inquiry was launched into the case. CIC Under Secretary and Assistant Registrar Pankaj Shreyasker was sent to BHU to look into Dhanajay’s allegations.

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