The Delhi High Court recently intervened in the case of nine Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students suspended over allegations of sexual harassment. Granting interim relief, the Court observed procedural lapses in the university's handling of the matter, particularly noting that the suspension was imposed without affording the students an opportunity to present their side. The students had appeared before the Court with a claim that they did not know what was against them and that there was no hearing before a suspension order was issued against them by the university.In its decision, the Court has cited principles of natural justice and made it imperative to have due process in place on matters of this sort, more so when such cases directly relate to the career of a student as well as the reputation that gets associated with his or her name. The judge made clear that suspension without notice and any hearing to defend is considered denial of fundamental fairness. In such cases, interim relief, effectively puts the suspension in abeyance, allowing students to go back to class until the final verdict. In any case, the allegations against the students of sexual harassment are serious, especially because the university has a zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual misconduct. However, the students claim to be ignorant of the basis of such allegations and the specific incidents they are accused of. They further argue that this suspension order has adversely affected their academic standing and reputation among other students in the university. Besides, they pointed out that the decision has exposed them to severe mental strain and distracted them from their studies. For the case of sexual harassment cases, it is normally the duty of the committee against sexual harassment (CASH) to probe into complains and prescribe necessary disciplinary action. Yet in the students' legal representatives claims that in the said case procedures had not been adhered by the committee and that adequate information or evidence was neither produced nor shown to verify allegations against the students. According to defense since clear information and evidence had not been shown to present before the students, mounting proper defense was practically impossible. Delhi High Court took cognizance of these apprehensions and made a query as to the decision of suspension of these students without any due process. The Court observed that educational institutions are statutorily mandated to protect the rights of students, and the rights do include the right to being heard in disciplinary proceedings. Therefore, in this regard, the decision-making process of the university would be reviewed and the opportunity of a fair hearing must be given to the students so that they may get a chance to respond against the allegations leveled against them.