SRFTI authorities said an independent fact-finding exercise initiated by a group of protesting students into the campus crisis was "unauthorised", claiming that the attempt was aimed at "distorting the factual record, fomenting tension and undermining the ongoing SIT probe".
The Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, said several incidents, including alleged attacks on students since September 27, were being investigated by a special investigation team constituted by the West Bengal government. It questioned the legitimacy of a "parallel probe by an external organisation".
SRFTI Registrar Deepak Kumar said on Thursday night that the institute had also constituted its own fact-finding committee to inquire into the alleged violence on campus.
"The matter is already under investigation by an SIT constituted by the West Bengal government. The institute has also constituted its own fact-finding committee to examine the incidents," Kumar said.
He alleged that the "parallel exercise is aimed at creating competing narratives, distorting the factual record and undermining the ongoing investigation".
Kumar was referring to a statement by agitating students announcing plans to form their own fact-finding panel to investigate the incidents, including alleged violence on campus, since September 27.
"Such an attempt appears aimed at fomenting tension and keeping the issue alive rather than facilitating a return to normalcy," Kumar said, claiming that "using students to advance extraneous or political agendas" was unacceptable and detrimental to their academic interests.
"The institute will extend full cooperation to the SIT and expects all concerned to respect the established legal process," the SRFTI registrar said.
The institute has been witnessing protests since September 27 following alleged attacks on students during an RSS-linked Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat event on campus.
The protests intensified after a second alleged attack on October 4 during a rally by Bangiya Hindu Jagran Manch. Students organised sit-ins and raised concerns over their safety, privacy and freedom of movement.
The agitating students also claimed that stones were hurled at them during the incident.
The situation deteriorated following an October 15 incident involving Vice Chancellor Santosh Ajmera. The SRFTI administration accused a group of students of gheraoing and manhandling the VC and vandalising his office.
Six students were subsequently rusticated, while the students' union rejected the allegations and questioned the disciplinary proceedings.
The SRFTI registrar said the institute was making concerted efforts to restore normalcy, but academic activities remained suspended.
Kumar warned that any attempt to forcibly enter the campus or disrupt its functioning would invite appropriate action, including legal proceedings.
On October 16, the administration suspended regular academic activities in the film and electronic and digital media (EDM) wings until November 13.
The administration subsequently extended the suspension of academic activities and the campus closure until December 11, citing the prevailing situation and the need to maintain institutional order.
The institute was granted deemed-to-be-university status under the distinct category in April 2025.
(With inputs from PTI)
