"Did Any Ragging Activity Take Place At Swami Rama Himalayan University?": U'khand HC Asks State After Receiving Anonymous Complaint

The Uttarakhand High Court has asked the State government to inform the Court if any ragging activity took place in 'HIMS Swami Rama Himalayan University, Jolly Grant, Dehradun'.

The Bench of Acting Chief Justice Sanjaya Kumar Mishra and Justice Ramesh Chandra Khulbe asked the State Government this question after receiving an anonymous complaint about such an incident having taken place.

Listing the case on May 11, 2022, the Court issued the following direction:

"The learned Additional Chief Standing Counsel for the State of Uttarakhand shall take instructions if any ragging activity has taken place in 'HIMS Swami Rama Himalayan University, Jolly Grant, Dehradun', as we have received an anonymous complaint about such an incident having taken place."

This order has come in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) plea filed before the High Court regarding an alleged ragging incident that took place in the Haldwani Medical College in March 2022.

The Court has already taken note of the alleged ragging incident on March 9, 2022, and had formed a committee to inspect the College premises, examine the video footage available and also examine the students and take appropriate action in the matter.

The Bench had issued this direction on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) plea moved by Sachidanand Dabral seeking permanent measures to prohibit ragging throughout the Higher Educational Institutions.

Further, on March 23, the Court had sought a reply from the principal of the Haldwani Medical College over the alleged ragging incident. After the reply was filed, the High Court today asked the petitioner/Sachidanand Dabral to file a rejoinder affidavit.

As per the report of The Indian Express, following a video of a group of first-year MBBS students, all tonsured, going viral, the Haldwani Government Medical College administration last week called an inquiry to look into the ragging angle.

Case title - Sachidanand Dabral v. Union of India & Ors.

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