Kerala High Court Asks State To File Draft Composition Of 'Working Group' Which Will Formulate Rules To Curb Ragging

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (19th March) asked the State government to file within one week, a draft composition of the working group that is proposed to frame comprehensive Rules to curb the rising menace of ragging in the State.Special Bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice C. Jayachandran had earlier observed that a stronger statutory mechanism is needed to arrest ragging activities. It had thus directed the State to constitute a multidisciplinary working group comprising of ex-officio members and nominated experts from various field to draft the Rules and assess whether any amendment is needed to the Kerala Prohibition of Ragging Act, 1998.The State was expected to submit details on the draft composition of working group on March 19 but following the request made by the Government Pleader, further time was granted. The Court observed,"According to us, what we sought for is the draft of the working group and have already given 2 weeks' time for the purpose. Considering that the matter is to be looked at on urgent basis, we grant one week's time to the State to submit the draft composition of the working group. Once the working group is so constituted, the suggestions of the petitioner and the other respondents as well as the applicants seeking impleadment can be placed before this working group."The development comes in the petition filed by Kerala Legal Service Authorities (KeLSA) flagging the menace of ragging in the State. The plea was filed after JS Sidharthan, a second-year undergraduate student at the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University was found dead in the men's hostel washroom at Wayanad's Pookode village.His mother, Sheeba MR has also sought to be impleaded as a party to the PIL. She submitted that the University authorities turned a blind eye to the ragging activities on campus, leading to his son's preventible death. She further submitted that the State needs to implement stringent laws to prevent such mishaps.MLA Ramesh Chennithala has also sought impleadment in the matter. He contends that usage of drugs in educational institutions and political patronage given to students are major reasons for increase in ragging activities and seeks 'free hand' for the Police and Excise departments to deal with the issue.The case is next posted on 26th March.Case Title: Kerala State Legal Service Authority v Government of Kerala and OthersCase No: WP(C) 8600/ 2025

Kerala High Court Asks State To File Draft Composition Of 'Working Group' Which Will Formulate Rules To Curb Ragging

Manju Elsa Isac

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