The internal probe constituted by the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) into the conduct of Mannan Bashir Wani has found “nothing objectionable” against him in his stay and conduct as a student of the University. Mr. Wani was suspended by the AMU on January 8, 2018, immediately after a picture of him with an AK-47 surfaced on social media. The 109-page report by the University, however, describes him as a “brilliant student” and certifies his “good conduct”.
Mr. Wani, 25, was studying as a Ph.D scholar in Applied Geology after completing his Masters and M.Phil. in geology from AMU. Immediately after suspending Mr. Wani, the AMU had constituted a two-member probe committee to submit a report on his activities at the University. The committee declared in its report that it found “nothing suspicious or objectionable against Wani as far as his stay in the university as a student was concerned”.
The report has been submitted to the Aligarh Police, which is probing Mr. Wani’s disappearance. The AMU had filed a report with the police saying that Mr. Wani had gone missing since January 2. The University authorities had declared in the missing person complaint that if Mr. Wani was caught for his involvement in illegal activities, the AMU would not be held responsible for it.
Aligarh Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rajesh Pandey confirmed receiving the committee’s report and said that the police will send it to the U.P. Anti-Terrorism Squad for a detailed examination. The report was prepared after talking to a more than 100 people who had met Mr. Wani, including his teachers, supervisor, classmates and hostel-mates.
Meanwhile, the AMU Students Union (AMUSU) has decided to launch a nationwide campaign demanding the government “declare concrete evidence that Wani had joined a terror group”.
AMUSU president Mashqoor Ahmad Usmani told media, “It is indeed sad and unfortunate that merely on the basis of social media reports, the Government of India concluded that Wani has joined a terror group. Even the investigative agencies do not have any proof or evidence to substantiate the allegation.”
