Kerala nursing college ragging case: Principal, professor suspended amid probe

(Representational Image)

The Kerala government has suspended the principal and an assistant professor of the Government College of Nursing, Kottayam, in connection with a shocking ragging case that surfaced earlier this week. Health Minister Veena George ordered the action after a video of the brutal incident went viral, triggering public outrage.

The suspended officials are Sulekha A T, the principal of the college, and Ajeesh P Mani, an assistant professor who also served as the hostel warden. Additionally, the hostel's housekeeper and security personnel have been dismissed. The Director of Medical Education issued the suspension order following a probe into the incident.

According to police, a junior student was subjected to extreme physical abuse by five third-year students inside the college hostel. The victim was allegedly stripped, tied to a cot, and attacked with a compass. The accused—Samuel Johnson (20), Rahul Raj (22), Jeev (18), Rijil Jith (20), and Vivek (21)—were arrested under the Prohibition of Ragging Act and have been remanded in district jail.

Minister Veena George assured strict action, stating, "There will be zero tolerance towards such inhumane acts in educational institutions. The government is committed to ensuring that campuses remain safe spaces for students."

Meanwhile, the opposition UDF has alleged that the accused have ties with the Students' Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of the ruling CPI(M). However, the SFI has denied any involvement, claiming the accused were not members of their organization.

This incident has reignited concerns over ragging in Kerala's educational institutions, prompting authorities to tighten regulations and enhance monitoring in hostels.

(With PTI inputs)