A shocking ragging case has come to light at Government Nursing College in Kottayam, Kerala. Three first-year students complained to Kottayam Gandhinagar police about serious physical harassment. They said seniors tortured them, even hanging dumbbells from their private parts. The police have started an investigation into the matter.
Kottayam: A shocking ragging incident has emerged from a government college in Kerala, where five third-year nursing students were arrested for allegedly subjecting their juniors to severe physical and mental abuse over a span of three months.
The incident occurred at the Government Nursing College in Kottayam, where three first-year students from Thiruvananthapuram filed a formal complaint with the Kottayam Gandhinagar police, detailing a series of violent acts that began in November 2024 and persisted for nearly three months.
Following the complaint, the accused students were suspended and arrested under the Anti-Ragging Act. According to police reports, the first-year students were forced to stand naked while dumbbells were hung from their private parts. They also suffered injuries from sharp objects, including compasses from geometry boxes.
The abuse escalated further, as lotion was applied to the victims’ wounds, intensifying their pain. When the victims screamed in agony, the lotion was allegedly forced into their mouths. The seniors reportedly filmed these acts and threatened the juniors with severe repercussions, including damaging their academic prospects, should they report the abuse.
Additionally, the complaint alleges that the seniors regularly extorted money from the juniors on Sundays to purchase alcohol, and those who refused to comply faced beatings. One victim, unable to endure the harassment any longer, confided in his father, who then encouraged him to approach the police.
All five accused are currently in police custody and are expected to be presented before a magistrate by Wednesday afternoon.
This incident follows closely on the heels of a tragic case in Kochi, where a 15-year-old schoolboy died by suicide, with his mother alleging that he was bullied by fellow students, which contributed to his despair.
Ragging is a punishable offense in India, and several legal provisions exist to prevent and penalize such acts.
1. The Anti-Ragging Act & Guidelines
Though there is no specific Anti-Ragging Act at the national level, the government has framed strict rules under various laws and court rulings.
2. Supreme Court Directives (2001 & 2009)
- The Supreme Court of India declared ragging as a criminal offense and directed institutions to take strict preventive measures.
- In 2009, the Court ordered the formation of the Anti-Ragging Helpline (1800-180-5522) and made it mandatory for colleges to have anti-ragging committees.
3. UGC Regulations on Ragging (2009)
The University Grants Commission (UGC) issued regulations to curb ragging, making it mandatory for colleges to:
- Expel students involved in ragging.
- Lodge FIRs (First Information Reports) against offenders.
- Conduct awareness programs.
4. Indian Penal Code (IPC) Sections Against Ragging
Ragging is punishable under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including:
- Section 323 – Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt.
- Section 341 – Wrongful restraint.
- Section 506 – Criminal intimidation.
- Section 307 – Attempt to murder (if ragging leads to severe injury).
- Section 302 – Murder (in extreme cases where death occurs).
- Section 376 – Sexual offenses (if ragging includes sexual abuse).
5. The Prevention of Ragging in Colleges and Hostels
- State Laws: Some states, like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and West Bengal, have their own anti-ragging laws.
- Institutional Responsibility: Colleges must conduct anti-ragging affidavits signed by students and parents at the time of admission.
6. Consequences for Offenders
- Expulsion or suspension from the institution.
- Police case and criminal charges under IPC.
- Denial of admission in other educational institutions.
- Fines and penalties imposed by authorities.
7. Reporting Ragging
- National Anti-Ragging Helpline: 1800-180-5522
- Email: helpline@antiragging.in
- Police FIR: Victims can directly file a police complaint.
Strict laws and enforcement mechanisms are in place to ensure student safety and eliminate ragging from educational institutions.
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