NAGPUR: The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has quashed the suspension of an MBA student of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Nagpur, over the alleged recovery of a banned substance from his hostel room, observing that he was not given an adequate opportunity to present his defence.
A Division Bench of Justice Urmila Joshi-Phalke and Justice Raj D. Wakode passed the order while hearing a petition filed by Prayas Thakur, a second-year MBA student from the 2025–27 batch.
The court directed IIM Nagpur to allow the student to attend classes and stay in the hostel while the matter is reconsidered through a fresh inquiry.
Student Challenges Disciplinary Action
According to the petition, institute officials searched Thakur’s shared hostel room on August 30, 2026, while he was attending a class. The student alleged that a banned substance was found under the pillow on his bed.
Thakur contended that the authorities did not disclose the nature, composition or quantity of the substance and did not provide a laboratory report. He also alleged that the search was conducted in his absence and without a student representative present.
The student maintained that he had an unblemished academic record and was not given a proper opportunity to explain his position before the Student Activity Committee or the appellate authorities.
Expulsion Reduced to Suspension
The institute initially expelled Thakur from the programme. Following appeals, the Director reduced the punishment to suspension from Terms 5 and 6 of the 2026–27 academic year.
Appearing for the student, advocate Radhika Bajaj argued that the institute had failed to follow a fair procedure and provide an adequate opportunity to defend himself.
The institute’s counsel, advocate Harish Thakur, defended the earlier orders but agreed that a fresh inquiry could be conducted after giving the student a proper hearing.
High Court Orders Fresh Inquiry Within Four Weeks
The Bench observed that the student had not received a sufficient opportunity to present his defence.
Consequently, the High Court quashed the orders passed by the Director, the Student Activity Committee and the Academic Programme and Grievance Redressal Committee.
The court directed the Chairperson of the Student Activity Committee to conduct a fresh inquiry, consider the evidence and pass a reasoned order within four weeks.
The Bench clarified that the committee must decide the matter after hearing the student’s defence.
In the meantime, IIM Nagpur has been directed to permit Thakur to attend classes and reside in the hostel.
