Kerala HC Calls Current Anti-Ragging Laws Inadequate
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Synopsis
On March 5, the Kerala High Court expressed serious concerns about the existing anti-ragging laws. The court emphasized the need to establish new regulations under the Kerala Prohibition of Ragging Act, 1998, to effectively address the issue while considering public input and guidelines from the UGC.
Key Takeaways
- High Court highlights need for new anti-ragging regulations.
- UGC has provided guidelines to curb ragging.
- Special bench to be formed for ragging cases.
- Working group proposed for rule formulation.
- State's responsibility in preventing violence associated with ragging.
Kochi, Mar 5 (NationPress) The Kerala High Court has raised alarms regarding the current anti-ragging laws, stressing that new regulations must be established under the Kerala Prohibition of Ragging Act, 1998, to effectively combat this issue.
The court highlighted that the UGC has issued comprehensive guidelines aimed at preventing ragging in educational institutions, suggesting that the state should consider modifications to its existing legislation.
A notice is to be dispatched to the UGC, and the matter is set for further deliberation on March 19.
Furthermore, the court announced plans to form a special bench dedicated to addressing ragging cases in Kerala.
This announcement came from a division bench led by Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar while reviewing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) submitted by the Kerala State Legal Service Authority (KeLSA) aimed at mitigating the ragging crisis.
The court on Wednesday proposed the formation of a working group comprising members from various fields, inviting public input to help develop the necessary rules.
This group should also evaluate whether amendments to the current state laws are required, the court remarked.
The court emphasized that when violence occurs, the situation becomes a state concern.
"When brutality and violence are involved in ragging, it transcends the individual student or institution, instead shocking the societal conscience. Hence, the state bears significant responsibility in ensuring a strong prevention framework," it asserted.
Two notorious ragging incidents have come to light in Kerala, the first being the tragic death of Sidharthan, a second-year student at the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Pookode, Wayanad, who was found dead in his hostel on February 18, 2024, following torment from his seniors and peers. Nineteen students are facing multiple charges, including abetment to suicide and ragging.
In another instance, five senior students from the state-run Nursing College in Kottayam were imprisoned for severely ragging a junior student.
There have been additional alarming incidents as well.
