SC acts tough, warns colleges against ragging

NEW DELHI: This coming academic session, freshers aka 'fuchas' can drop guard and walk 'bindaas' into the campus. For, big brother Supreme Court on Wednesday sent a chilling signal to rowdy seniors, warning them of dire consequences if they indulged in ragging, even if for the first time. The apex court also warned that colleges found to be lax in preventing ragging or shielding the offenders would pay dearly. The financial dole received by them from the University Grants Commission (UGC) or the controlling body should be reduced and even stopped, the SC said. For the first time, the apex court gave credence to media reports and said ragging incidents reported in newspapers would be taken as true till proved otherwise after inquiry. Continuing with its "no leniency" approach to erase ragging from educational institutions, a Bench comprising Justices Arijit Pasayat and M K Sharma said once a student was found prima facie involved in ragging, he would be immediately suspended from the college and hostel and be reported to police by college authorities. This directive came after the Bench took into consideration a common refrain of students, who were booked for ragging, that they had been condemned without being heard. Justice Pasayat, writing the judgment for the Bench, said, "A question raised was regarding giving opportunity to the offender before taking action like expulsion etc. Delay in taking action in many cases would frustrate the need for taking urgent action." He added, "In such cases, if the authorities are prima facie satisfied about the errant act of any student, they can in appropriate cases pending final decision, suspend the student from the institution and the hostel if any and give opportunity to him to have his say." But, in any case he would be mandatorily reported to the police, a serious development that could have telling effect on a student's career. "Immediately, the police shall be informed and criminal law set into motion," the Bench said.

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