Chennai: Madras high court on Friday upheld the expulsion of two law students from Vels Institute of Science, Technology and Advanced Studies, saying educational institutions are duty-bound to provide students a safe and fear-free environment.A division bench of Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan dismissed an appeal by U Dinesh Kumar and M Absar Ali against a single judge’s refusal to interfere with the university’s decision.The two were expelled on July 11, 2025, after Chennai police registered an FIR accusing them of kidnapping a fellow law student and demanding a ransom of ₹2 lakh.The appellants contended that registration of an FIR alone could not justify expulsion. The university, they said, should have referred the matter to its disciplinary committee, held an inquiry and given them an opportunity to be heard.Rejecting their arguments, the bench said the allegations concerned the kidnapping of a co-student — a grave offence under police investigation. It cited the university’s code of conduct, which requires students to ensure the safety of others and bars misconduct, including off-campus acts that could harm the institution’s interests or reputation.The court said the university was justified in acting immediately to preserve a conducive academic atmosphere. “Students cannot attend college courses in a state of limbo and fear,” it observed.Students were expected to act responsibly and refrain from criminal activities that could affect the morale of their peers and undermine the institution’s educational mission, the bench said.Noting that university regulations allowed permanent expulsion for such misconduct, the court held that the gravity of the allegations left nothing further for a disciplinary committee to examine before action was taken.Finding no fault with the previous order, the bench dismissed the appeal.
