National University of Study and Research in Law (NUSRL), which had erupted over fee-facility mismatch in April, was on the brink of an agitation once again on Friday as vice chancellor B.C. Nirmal returned to campus after a month-long forced leave.

A mob of 100-odd students refused to allow Nirmal - accused of being the trigger behind the unrest on the Kanke campus in Ranchi - to occupy his chair when he reached the university, escorted by a guard, around noon.

" Andar kaise baithega... Isko nikaliye bahar (How dare he takes his chair... Throw him out)," a final-year student hollered at the assistant registrar in-charge. Having overheard the resentment at his visit, the vice chancellor decided to sit on a sofa in the room instead of his chair of authority, a varsity source said.

It is not immediately clear if Nirmal had returned to resume office or for some personal work. He left the campus within 20 minutes.

When contacted over phone, the vice chancellor disconnected the call with a curt reply: "Let me join (office) and then I will be in a position to give my statement."

Director of Judicial Academy Gautam Kumar Choudhary, who had assumed additional charge as NUSRL vice chancellor on April 14 to quell protests, was on leave on Friday and could not be contacted.

Other varsity officials preferred to remain tight-lipped.

A final-year BA-LLB student underscored that they were not ready to accept Nirmal as their vice chancellor.

"Justice Apresh Kumar Singh, who is nominee of the honorable chancellor (Chief Justice Pradip Kumar Mohanty), had sent Gautam Choudhary to look after NUSRL affairs. So, we see him as our vice chancellor and do not want anyone else to occupy that chair," the student said.

Moot court competition

While a section of students remained busy restraining vice chancellor Nirmal from taking his official seat, others prepared for the 2nd National Trial Advocacy Competition (NTAC) at university's lecture theatre. The annual competition tests legal understanding and trial handling skills of students.

"It is a three-day event in which 16 teams from different law colleges and universities of the country are participating. This (Friday) evening, the preliminary round will start and by tomorrow (Saturday) four teams will be selected for the semi-final. The final moot court will be held on Sunday," a core member of the Moot Court Committee of NUSRL said.

Ayushi Singh, another member of the panel, said during the competition, a trial court is recreated, complete with the accused, witnesses, lawyers and judge/s. "Prosecution and defence sides debate on an impromptu case. The winner is chosen on the basis of best arguments," she added.