Pune Party

Case Summary

(Professor Arun Jain)

Background: 489 management students (August 1) of Atheros Institute of Management (AIMS) were held at Badhu farmhouse at Theur, a temple village 27 km from Pune while they were celebrating “Fresher & Friendship Day Party”. August 1 had a religious significance for visiting Ganpati Temple.

At around 11 PM, nearby Police station received complaint from villagers that students were creating nuisance, blocking road & playing loud music (confirmed by Pune Rural Chief Pradeep M). Police immediately checked the place & found no permission for conducting the party. They also found alcohol bottles (without legitimate permission to serve) & hence, called 6 doctors to conduct medical tests. 81 students were found heavily drunk.

Students complained of not knowing the permission clause for liquor. College management arranged for collective bail of students.

School’s Version: Dr. Mahima Lonawala, institute’s director, confirmed that students took permission for late out (like for movies/dinner), but denied the knowledge of any party & defended the institute. She also confirmed that since student violated the hostel rule (not returning on time), a committee headed by vice chancellor will look into the matter.

School’s action: The committee found the students guilty, but no harsh punishment was given to avoid jeopardizing careers of students. Punishment though included 15 day suspension for organizers, all involved students to do community service & curbing of all late night outing for next 3 months. Counseling sessions teaching laws of land in such scenarios were discussed.

Legal action against stakeholders:

· INR 2000 cash surety – For all 81 students

· INR 10,000 cash surety – For organizing students

· Farm house owner & music provider were prosecuted by Police

What law says: Persons above 21 years needs permit to consume alcohol (Bombay Prohibition Act 1949). Supreme Court has banned usage of loud speaker between 10 pm & 6 am

Stakeholder’s reaction: Students agitated against police action & defended themselves by claiming that everyone in the party was above 18 years & party was without drugs. Academicians & Civil society had mixed reactions towards police action. Police stated that only those students who consumed alcohol without valid permit, were prosecuted.

College’s public apology: Mr. Banerjee, founder director, express regret over the incident.

Parent’s reaction: Parents were angry & were asking 2 questions:

· Party was held last year also at the same venue, why didn’t the police object then?

· If they (parents) didn’t have a problem in their children having liquor, why does police has the same?

Questions for Discussion

1) Is this case much to do about nothing? What are the major emerging issues?

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2) Was there any better way to avoid & handle such incidents?

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3) Seeing that students did not indulge in any criminal act, were the punitive actions were taken by AIM administration justified?

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4) What would you have done / say had you been in the role of: Students, School management, Citizens, Police, Villager, Court Judge.

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5) Does this incident signify changing morals & values in Indian Society, and the gap between old & new mindsets in the age of Twitter & Facebook?

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