The Kerala High Court has been considering a Public Interest Litigation filed by the Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KeLSA) concerning the growing problem of ragging in educational institutions. During the proceedings, the Court was informed that a draft Kerala Prohibition of Ragging Amendment Bill is currently under scrutiny by the Law Department before it can move to the next stage of approval.
A Special Bench led by Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice C. Jayachandran directed the Law Department to complete its vetting of the draft and return it to the Home Department within four weeks, noting the urgency of addressing the issue since the State itself acknowledged the need for stronger legislation.
The case arose after the death of J. S. Sidharthan, a second-year undergraduate student at Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, whose body was found in the hostel washroom. KeLSA highlighted deficiencies in the Kerala Prohibition of Ragging Act, 1998, and sought amendments to strengthen protections for students. The Court had earlier instructed the State to form a multidisciplinary Working Group to prepare amendments and rules to close the gaps in the existing law.
In subsequent hearings, both KeLSA and the University Grants Commission presented their views on two drafts prepared by the Working Committee. The UGC suggested time limits for decisions by anti-ragging committees and appeals, extending the law to institutional hostels, lodges, and autonomous colleges, and including hostel wardens in anti-ragging committees. KeLSA proposed removing the definition of “freshers” so that all students would be covered by the law, and recommended introducing “wilful concealment of offence” as a form of abetment.
The Court emphasized that any amendments or rules must reflect the legislative intent of prohibiting ragging not only within campuses but also outside institutional premises. It noted that the existing statute already contemplates such extended coverage, and therefore the Working Committee’s proposals must ensure this aspect is retained.
Stressing the need for speed and accountability, the Bench observed that four weeks should be sufficient for the Law Department to complete its review of the draft. Once vetted, the Bill can then be sent to the Council of Ministers and taken forward in the legislative process.
The matter remains ongoing, with the Court expecting the proposed Bill to progress quickly and incorporate the inputs of both KeLSA and the UGC to create a more effective legal framework against ragging in Kerala.
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