AIIMS Nagpur Paramedical student accuses seniors of ragging on campus hostel, probe underway
Nagpur: A case of ragging has been reported from the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Nagpur, where a first-year paramedical student was allegedly ragged and harassed by two final-year students from the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Technology (BMLT) course.
The disturbing incident occurred within the confines of the institute’s hostel a few days ago when the junior student who resides outside the hostel campus after being not qualified for campus accommodation was called to the hostel by BMLT seniors. According to the student, he was ragged on campus hostel.
It has been claimed that first-year BMLT students live outside the campus hostel due to their ineligibility for campus housing. In contrast, their seniors were granted access to hostel accommodations three years ago.
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Following the incident, the junior student filed a complaint with the Sonegaon police station encouraging the institute's authorities to form a 19-member anti-ragging committee to investigate the matter thoroughly.
Although the anti-ragging committee has members from the institute, this time the panel is also comprised of three external members, including the district collector, the police inspector of the local police station, and a parent representative.
Headed by Dr Mrunal Pathak, the dean of academics, the committee has recommended severe disciplinary measures against the accused students, including suspension or filing a First Information Report (FIR). This comes after they had conducted an investigation and questioned both parties involved with the incident along with other students on the campus. However, a detailed report regarding the incident is yet to be submitted to the AIIMS executive director and the patron of the anti-ragging committee Dr Prashant Joshi.
Speaking to TOI in this regard, Dr Joshi said "The institute has zero-tolerance towards ragging and promised appropriate action following the law. The committee is yet to submit the report. We have a seven-day window to decide on the case. It was a stray incident and the victim did not suffer any physical injury. We cannot act hastily. Their parents need to be informed."
Medical Dialogues team had previously reported that the Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) has specified certain efforts to create a healthy environment at the institutes. The measures recommended by the UG Board of NMC include arranging a meeting between the college and parents/wards of all students and carrying out mentor-mentee programmes at the medical colleges.
