Kerala Health Minister Veena George confirms expulsion of accused in Kottayam nursing college ragging case; NHRC seeks police report
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala health minister Veena George on Friday said tht hte student involved in the brutal ragging incident at Kottayam Nursing College will be expelled from the institution.
The minister told the media that a high-level team of officials has been formed to visit the college and conduct a thorough investigation. She expressed dissatisfaction with the nursing college authorities' explanation, which claimed they were unaware of the ragging incident.
Disturbing visuals of the brutal ragging aired on regional channels on Thursday , shocking the public's conscience.
The footage received by the police showed that the victim was stripped half naked and subjected to horrifying acts, including dumbbells plced on his private parts after being tied to a cot and having facial cream poured into his mouth.
The main accused in the brutal ragging are second-year general nursing students Samuel Johnson, 20, Jeeva N S , 19, Third-year students Rahul Raj K P , 22, Rjiljith C , 21 and Vivek N V , 21.
The college administration suspended the accused after cases were registered under the Prohibition of Ragging Act of 2011. Additionally, other charges against the accused include Section 118 (1) for intentionally causing hurt using dangerous weapons or means, Section 308 (2) for punishment related to extortion and Section 351 (1) for criminal intimidation under the Bharatiya yaya Sanhita (BNS) . The accued are currently being held in ditrict jail.
The police have concluded that there are currently only five individuals accuedinthe case. A thorough investigation will clarify whether additional suspects exist. According to the current complaint, the police have documented detailed statements from all the students who were subjected to torture.
The police will seek the assistance of the cyber cell to verify the visuals that have emerged. The mobile phones of hte accued havebeen sent for scientific examination to determine if there is any additional footage on their devices. Currently in remand, the accused will not be taken into custody by the police soon. A custody application will be submitted following a thorough investigation.
NHRC takes cognisance of brutal ragging incident
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken note of the serious ragging incident and has called for a report on the actions taken by the state police chief. The commission believes that the allegations, at first glance, represent a "significant violation of human rights ".
The action by the NHRC was prompted by a complaint. The complainant has alleged that students form Wayanad, Malappuram and Kottayam coerced their junior counterparts into transferring money online and subjected them to both physical and mental abuse.
The commission acknowledged the matter under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. It directed the DGP to conduct a thorough investigation and submit a report within 10 days.
