“We feel that the continuation of criminal proceedings will be an impediment to restoration of normalcy and bringing cordiality back between the appellant and the respondents in their professional and personal capacities.”
These were the words of the Supreme Court on Tuesday, 21 February, as it disposed of an appeal against the Allahabad High Court’s decision to quash an FIR lodged against faculty members of IIT Kanpur alleging caste-based discrimination.
The bench of Justices Surya Kant and JK Maheshwari, according to Livelaw, adopted a “conciliatory approach” in the case, noting that the allegations and counter-allegations damage the reputation of the premier institution.
Thus the bench suggested that the chairman of the board of governors invite the complainant and the four professors he had complained against for a conversation.
"We, therefore, at this stage, are not inclined to continue with these proceedings and deem it appropriate to dispose of the same, with a recommendation to the chairman of the Board of Governors to invite the appellant and all the four respondents together and ensure that there are no pending misunderstandings or misgivings between them so as to guarantee professionalism and an ideal academic atmosphere in the institution.”Supreme Court