Due to the sudden death of Shri Chakravarti R. Vemula, a research scholar in the University of Hyderabad, the Fact Finding Committee sent by the Ministry of Human Resource Development to inquire into the circumstances leading to the death of the research scholar and the subsequent agitation in the campus of University of Hyderabad has listed various incidents starting prior to August 2015. The facts brought out by the Fact Finding Committee required a detailed examination to identify acts of omission and commission on the part of various persons in the University, and to suggest steps for preventing such incidents in future. Therefore, the Central Government in exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952, appointed a Commission of Inquiry consisting of Justice Ashok Kumar Roopanwal (Retired) to enquire into the events at the University of Hyderabad, culminating in the death of Shri Chakravarti R. Vemula.
The terms of reference of the Commission are as follows:-
- to enquire into the facts and circumstances leading to the death of Shri Chakravarti R. Vemula, a research scholar of University of Hyderabad, and fix responsibility for lapses, if any;
- to review the existing grievance redressal mechanism for students at the University, and to suggest improvements.
The Commission shall carry out its inquiry and submit its report and recommendations to the Central Government within three months from the date on which it is appointed.
–Ministry of Human Resource Development