Pune: FLAME University, located in Pune, is under the spotlight after the Bombay High Court (HC) intervened in a legal dispute involving the termination of a former assistant professor of sociology, Shinjini Mukherjee. The High Court has directed the university to submit an affidavit in the case by May 7.
Mukherjee, through her lawyers Mihir Desai and Jhuma Sen, filed a writ petition challenging the termination, which she claims was illegal. The professor alleges that she faced backlash—including job threats—for her involvement in animal welfare activities on campus. As the Faculty Advisor to the student-led Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) since December 2023, Mukherjee had been actively advocating for the protection of campus dogs amidst allegations of abuse, including one case involving the beating of a dog and others concerning missing animals.
According to the petition, Mukherjee’s termination, served on December 21, 2024, came without any formal inquiry, violating principles of natural justice. She approached the court on February 13, 2025, to contest the decision.
The petition underscores that permanent employees cannot be dismissed without due process, including evidence and cross-examination. Mukherjee maintains that her removal was tied to disagreements with the administration over feeding and caring for stray dogs on the university premises.
The HC has accepted the petition and allowed the university time until May 7 to respond. The petitioner has been given until June 13 to file a rejoinder.
Several current and former members of the AWC have alleged that campus dogs were mistreated, relocated against their will, or subjected to intimidation by security personnel—allegedly under orders from the administration. Students have also claimed that Mukherjee was harassed for her stance on animal welfare.
While FLAME University has denied the accusations, it has not issued an official statement. Multiple attempts by Pune Mirror to reach university representatives for comments were unsuccessful.
