JUDGMENT

Thomas, J.-This case reflects the bizarre offshoot of unholy campus politicisation culminating in the premature end of Jasbir Singh - a student who reached final year in M.A. (Economics). The venue of the murderous onslaught as the precinct of Nar Hari Hostel attached to Kurukshetra University in Haryana and the time was lunch recess on 23-10-1986. Jasbir Singh was stabbed to death while his fellow student Sumer Singh received grievous hurt. Twelve persons including some student leaders of the rival wing were sent up for trial before the Designated Court of Kurukshetra as the charge included Section 6 of the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, 1987 (for short "the TADA ). But all of them were acquitted by the trial Judge and these appeals have been filed under Section 19 of the TADA.

2. The backdrop, disquieting from the angle of campus discipline, was the college students union election on the lines of political party loyalties of the students, Himat (9th accused) was a candidate for presidentship of the students union and he was opposed by Jasbir Singh, being head of the rival students wing owing allegiance to another political party. Himat won the elect