UoP staff in the dock after liquor party on campus

The Sewak Vihar (University Club) appears to have been the venue of the liquor party and came to light on Thursday when a couple of students staying at a hostel noticed empty liquor bottles and cigarette packets, besides other remnants of a late-night party, strewn all over when they reached Sewak Vihar in the morning for their routine workout.

As word spread, students protested against the misuse of Sewak Vihar.

"It was a mess, with liquor bottles, cigarette packets and plastic bottles and plates littered in front of Sewak Vihar," Sunil Dudhe, a journalism student who clicked photographs of the spot, told Newsline. Sagar Narkear, another student accompanying Sunil, said that shortly after students started protesting, a person arrived at the spot in a four-wheeler and cleaned the spot in haste.

The matter has come to the notice of the university authorities.

University sources revealed that Sewak Vihar, an auditorium-cum-recreational hall managed by a body comprising university staff, had been rented out on Wednesday for a wedding function of a relative of Dattu Waghmare, a staffer of the varsity's printing press.

Incidentally, the liquor party took place in spite of strict night vigil on campus by the security department of the university. The university administration had beefed up vigil following the murder of a security guard last May after he accosted a couple engaged in indecent acts in the open, on the campus at night.

When contacted, M S Kedari, who is in charge of campus security, said the security personnel usually do not pay much attention to happenings at Sewak Vihar since it's in safe hands of trusted persons.

Shivaji Utekar, chairman of Sewak Vihar governing body said the incident would be probed and every precaution taken to avoid any misuse of the Vihar in future.

"We impose a fine of Rs 5,000 for any misuse of Sewak Vihar. The liquor party incident is serious and we will take due cognizance of it," he told Newsline.

Acting registrar of the UoP C M Chitale said details would be sought and action taken against those found guilty.

"The University administration cannot use different yardsticks for staff when it comes to maintaining the sanctity of the campus and ensuring discipline. Those involved in the incident must be punished," demanded the student community who live in hostels.

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