Pune: Bombay HC Slams Govt, Sinhagad College Over Arrest Of Student For Instagram Post; Orders Reinstatement And Exam Access
Pune: Parge Nagar Residents Raise Civic Concerns In Meeting With Kondhwa Police Officials
Pune/Mumbai – The Bombay High Court came down heavily on the Maharashtra government and college authorities in the case of a Pune engineering student arrested over a controversial Instagram post regarding ‘Operation Sindoor’. The court granted relief to the student, questioning the legality of her arrest and the denial of her right to education and expression.
The student from Sinhgad College of Engineering had posted a critical comment referring to the Indian government as “Reformistan” following the military action in PoK after the Pulwama attack. Though she later deleted the post and issued a public apology, she was arrested by Kondhwa Police and rusticated by her college. She was also barred from appearing for her remaining examinations.
At a special vacation hearing on May 27, 2025, Justices Gauri Godse and Somasekhar Sundaresan of the Bombay High Court took strong objection to the state’s actions. “Is this how you treat students? Are they not allowed to express their opinions? You’ve treated her like a criminal,” the bench remarked, directing the college to allow her to sit for her pending exams and reconsider her suspension.
The court further stated that the actions taken violated her fundamental rights under Articles 14 (Right to Equality), 19(1)(a) (Freedom of Speech and Expression), and 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty) of the Indian Constitution.
Justice Godse questioned whether the college had even asked the student for a clarification before taking such drastic action. “Educational institutions are meant to nurture students, not criminalize them. She apologized and explained the intent behind the post. She must be allowed to resume her education,” the court said.
The state’s offer to provide police protection during exams was also dismissed by the court. “She is not a criminal. She did not ask for police protection—stop treating her like one,” Justice Godse said.
The student is currently lodged in Yerawada Women’s Jail. The court advised her legal counsel, Advocate Farhana Shah, to either convert the matter into a criminal petition or file a fresh plea for her immediate release, assuring that it would be heard on priority.
The controversy began on May 7, when the student’s Instagram post on ‘Operation Sindoor’ received death threats in the comment section. She deleted the post and issued an apology, but protests erupted within the college, leading to her arrest and expulsion.
