The Delhi High Court expressed alarm over increasing student suicides, stressing the urgent need for an effective Anti-Ragging Helpline. It said the Supreme Court’s National Task Force must review UGC and C4Y’s role in the programme.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has expressed strong concern over the growing number of student suicides, observing that such cases are becoming “more frequent.” On Wednesday, the bench urged authorities “to put in place robust, efficient, and effective processes and programmes to address the issue.”
The court further underlined that
“at the very least, a proper functional and effective Anti-Ragging Helpline is certainly an immediate and utmost necessity.”
The judges also took note of the Supreme Court’s earlier directions in this matter. They said the High Court is “hopeful” that the Supreme Court-constituted National Task Force for dealing with student suicides will look into the role of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the NGO Centre for Youth (C4Y).
The bench specifically mentioned that C4Y has been managing the Anti-Ragging Programme but its performance has been questioned, pointing out that it is
“in conducting a dysfunctional Anti-Ragging Programme, as is evident from data which shows increased incidents in student suicides over the past few years.”
Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Anish Bansal were hearing two petitions filed by the Aman Satya Kachroo Trust.
The petitions challenged the awarding of two tenders by UGC to C4Y. After considering the submissions, the bench decided not to interfere with the tender process at this stage, as the contracts are close to completion.
It observed that it is not inclined to interfere “with the ongoing work at the tail end of the contract”, particularly since the tender tenure will expire in December 2025, having been effective since 2022.
The High Court also stated,
“It is reasonably assumed by this court that the tender process will be reviewed by the agencies responsible for its monitoring, and that the conditions of engagement shall be examined, assessed, and appropriately addressed, taking assistance and guidance from the recommendations of the National Task Force.”
The case has its roots in a tragic incident. The Aman Satya Kachroo Trust was set up by academician Dr. Rajendra Kachroo, who lost his son Aman in 2009 after a case of ragging led to his suicide.
The Trust was given responsibility to run the National Ragging Prevention Programme from 2012 till April 2022. After that, the UGC floated a new tender and handed over the programme to C4Y.
During the hearing, Dr. Kachroo personally appeared before the court. He questioned the effectiveness of the programme under C4Y and accused both UGC and C4Y of its poor execution.
He strongly criticized the current handling of the programme, calling it
“‘ham-handed’ and ‘lackadaisical approach’.”
Earlier this year, the Supreme Court had taken up the issue of rising student suicides and, in March, ordered the formation of a National Task Force.
This Task Force is headed by former Supreme Court judge, Justice (retd.) Ravindra Bhat, and includes nine other members along with three ex-officio members. Dr. Kachroo himself has been nominated as a member of this Task Force.
While closing the petitions, the High Court reiterated its concern and recorded:
“The court is also hopeful and optimistic that these aspects, which form part of a larger set of issues plaguing the Anti-Ragging Programme, will be considered by the National Task Force. Based on the recommendations of the National Task Force, the concerns of the petitioner in relation to the Anti-Ragging Programme… will also hopefully be addressed and, if necessary, rectified to align it with the interest of all the stakeholders.”
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