High Court Orders CCTV Push at Jadavpur University: Strengthening Campus Security


Date: June 21, 2025

Location: Jadavpur University, Kolkata

1. What the Court Directed

On June 19, a Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court—comprising Justices Soumen Sen and Smita Das De—ordered Jadavpur University (JU) to convene an Executive Council meeting within four weeks to address long-overdue campus security measures, especially the installation of CCTV cameras. The Court acknowledged administrative delays linked to the absence of a permanent Vice-Chancellor and urged the release of pending state funds to act promptly .

2. Why It Matters

  • Security Vacuum: JU has lacked a permanent VC since March 2025, relying on an acting Pro‑VC. Security upgrades have stalled amid administrative bottlenecks.

  • Safety Concerns: A PIL highlighted incidents—such as damage to a minister's vehicle and student unrest—underscoring the need for surveillance and policing.

  • Funding Holdups: The Court demanded grievance-free disbursal of government grants to enable the university to implement essential safety infrastructure.

3. The Broader Context

Efforts to enhance security aren’t new. In March 2025, JU previously proposed CCTVs at Aurobindo Bhavan and hostels to prevent incidents—including ragging and altercations in common areas. However, these moves met resistance from factions wary of privacy and administrative overreach .

Student and teacher groups like WBCUPA strongly advocated for campus-wide CCTV coverage and even the establishment of a police outpost, while other voices emphasized the risk of friction with educational autonomy—in an effort to manage a historically vibrant, spirited campus culture .

4. Voices from Campus

“We will decide on the course of action once we get a copy of the order,” said acting registrar Indrajit Banerjee, reflecting JU’s cautious stance.

From advocacy groups:

“The VC condemned the attack on education minister Bratya Basu... a committee had been formed to assess the need for CCTV cameras,” shared WBCUPA state assistant vice-president Selim Box Mandal.

Yet, skepticism remains:

“Ragging stems from a psyche of domination… CCTV installation is a minuscule part of the solution,” said Srijan, former JU student and SFI leader, cautioning against false security through surveillance.

5. What Happens Now

JU is expected to:

  1. Hold the Executive Council meeting by July 19 to finalize CCTV zones, oversight norms, and timelines.

  2. Submit a compliance report to the High Court outlining actions taken.

  3. Coordinate with state authorities for timely fund release and implementation logistics.

The next hearing is scheduled for July 17, 2025



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