Kamal Ghorui
New Delhi: Delhi University has constituted an inquiry committee after a written complaint from residents of Gwyer Hall — DU’s oldest men’s hostel — alleged that private security personnel hired by Dusu president Aryan Maan entered the hostel premises with a gun, threatened students and created a disturbance during a scuffle over mess coupons on Monday night.The five-member panel, comprising the warden of men’s hostels among others, is headed by DU Proctor Manoj Kumar.
The complaint, signed by the hostel administration and forwarded to the proctor, states: “The Gwyer Hall hostel was illegally occupied by Dusu office-bearers, along with their friends, who have repeatedly caused disturbances.”It said the administration has decided to vacate the rooms “with immediate effect”, failing which they would be sealed and legal action initiated. The occupants were given time till 5.30pm on Feb 24.The complaint added: “We strongly condemn the act of entering the hostel with a gun, threatening and abusing students, and mistreating hostel staff (mess worker and security personnel). We request that a committee be formed with immediate effect to address this issue.”According to residents, three Dusu office-bearers reside at Gwyer Hall — president Aryan Maan, vice-president Rahul Jhansla Yadav and secretary Kunal Choudhary Bidhuri.Residents alleged that some people accompanying Maan, including his security personnel, frequently used the hostel mess without taking coupons. On Monday night, an argument allegedly broke out between a mess worker and some of Maan’s associates over coupons. During the altercation, residents claimed that one of them took away the entire coupon booklet, escalating tensions and triggering protests by hostel students. Videos circulating on social media showed a large crowd raising slogans and demanding action.Maan denied his security personnel were involved in the scuffle or were residing in the hostel. “It was a small issue. We didn’t refuse to take coupons. A slight argument happened when the mess worker said people eat for free using Dusu’s name and refused to give food to my guests. One of them took the coupon booklet in the heat of the moment,” he said.Terming the episode “politically motivated” and denying any unauthorised stay, he said Dusu office-bearers have been allotted rooms at the hostel with the vice-chancellor’s approval. “We stay with due approvals,” he said, adding his security personnel do not stay in the hostel premises and remain in their vehicle when he enters the campus.He further alleged that the hostel administration was attempting to target him and using the incident as a pretext to vacate Dusu office-bearers from the hostel premises. Hostel authorities, however, described the occupation as “unauthorised” in the complaint and warned they would seal the rooms if the vacating order was not complied with. There was no immediate response from the hostel provost.DU proctor Manoj Kumar said the administration intervened and the matter was resolved amicably. “It was a small argument which led to the issue,” he said. On the allegation regarding a firearm, he said he wasn’t aware of any such incident and was looking into the matter. He confirmed Dusu office-bearers have official allotment at Gwyer Hall with special approval from the VC.Maan is the son of Haryana-based liquor businessman Sikandar Maan. Sources said security cover has been provided in view of his safety.
