The Allahabad High Court has directed Banaras Hindu University and Aligarh Muslim University to come up with a reform and rehabilitation programme for students facing disciplinary action for misconduct.

The court gave out the directions while quashing the BHU’s suspension order last year against Anant Narayan Mishra, a student penalised for allegedly assaulting a professor. Justice Ajay Bhanot found the suspension order too severe but made clear that the inquiry against the student – who is also named in an FIR – will continue.The law shall take its course, unhindered by any observation made in this judgment, he said.

In the 67-page order on Monday, Justice Bhanot also directed the Union Human Resource Development Ministry and the University Grants Commission to support the institutions in drafting a reform programme.

The court said the programme should be created after wide consultations. The exercise should be completed preferably within six months, but not later than 12 months, it added.