A high-level inquiry committee of JNU has said that offensive slogans at the controversial February 9 event on JNU campus were chanted by a group of outsiders, noting it was "unfortunate" that the students let that happen.

It said organizing the event after cancellation of permission was an act which amounts to "willful defiance."

The panel has also drawn attention to lapses on part of the university's security, saying it did not try to stop outsiders from shouting provocative slogans.

"The organisers disobeyed the instructions from the administration about not holding the event. This amounts to willful defiance. It is most unfortunate that the organisers allowed the event to be taken over by a group of outsiders who created a charged atmosphere by raising provocative slogans."

According to highly-placed sources in the university, the panel, which gave in its report on March 11, has suggested rustication of five students including JNU Students' Union president Kanhaiya Kumar, Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya who are accused of sedition. The report also said that the group of strangers had covered their heads and faces.

The committee was constituted on February 10 to investigate the event glorifying Afzal Guru, the Parliament attack convict.

Kanhaiya, Umar and Anirban were arrested on charges of sedition in connection with the event. Kanhaiya was released on bail on March 3 while Umar and Anirban are still lodged in jail.

The university authorities said that a final decision concerning the "quantum of punishment" will be taken on basis of the response sent by students to show-cause notices by tomorrow evening.