Kirori Mal College expels two students for ragging

IANS 3 August 2009, 06:09pm IST


NEW DELHI: Delhi University's Kirori Mal College Monday expelled two students and rusticated another for allegedly ragging a junior in the hostel and decided to file a police complaint.

The accused, however, have denied the charges and said their side of the story was not heard.

The college authorities received a complaint from a first year BSc (Physical Science) student Ashutosh that he was being ragged and sexually harassed by two third-year students - Akshay Chaudhary and Hani Mohammad - in the college hostel Sunday evening.

"We have decided to expel both the students and will register a police complaint for physically, sexually and mentally harassing a junior student. We have also rusticated another third-year student for sending Ashutosh to his seniors," Principal Bhim Sen Singh told reporters here.

The decision to expel the students was taken at a meeting of the college disciplinary and anti-ragging committee. The victim and the students accused of ragging were asked to appear before the committee but none of them turned up.

"It is a very serious case and I took the decision to expel the students with a heavy heart as I know their whole career will be spoiled," Singh said.

"But I think it was needed as tough action against them will set an example to other students not to dare rag juniors. The decision will give confidence to juniors to come out openly against ragging," the principal added.

According to Singh, the victim did not turn up before the committee but spoke with him over phone. "He is disturbed and shocked after the incident. I tried to counsel him to boost his morale. He has shifted out of the hostel and is staying with his local guardian," said Singh.

The expelled students have denied the charges, saying it was only a formal introduction and the victim took it seriously. "Ashutosh came to our room saying somebody has asked him to meet us. I just asked his personal details like name, school and his native place," said Hani Mohammed.

"There was another junior sitting in my room and he asked about ragging when we joined college. I told him it was serious during those days. I said the most common ragging was smile wipe where we were told to smile and then wipe it off by moving our fingers over lips. I asked Ashutosh to do the same but he refused and I said ok. Nothing else happened," said Hani.

Akshay Chaudhary said he did not even talk to Ashutosh and was just present there as he shares the room with Hani.

"After Ashutosh left, Hani received a threatening call from his elder brother. In the evening, the hostel warden called us and without hearing us reported the matter to the college management," Akshay said.

The two said they were not told about the disciplinary committee meeting. "We want to meet the principal and explain everything. Nobody told us we have to be present in the meeting. The decision has been taken without taking our view," said Akshay.

Many students criticised the college's decision and raised slogans within the campus. "There is no clear-cut definition of ragging. Asking juniors their name and other details is just a way to make them open up," said Rakhi Gupta, a second-year student.

"Expelling two students will not act as a deterrent and ragging will continue. Authorities need to think of what can be done by taking students along to curb the menace," said another student.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Sagar Preet Hooda said the police are yet to receive a formal complaint from the college.

"The college has informed us about the incident but we are yet to receive a complaint," Hooda said. Delhi University's current academic session started July 16 with tough anti-ragging measures being implemented with the help of Delhi Police.

During the past year, the country witnessed 88 cases of ragging, of them 12 proved fatal.