Death penalty for ragging deaths: Kerala cabinet approves stringent new draft bill

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala cabinet has approved the draft of a stringent anti-ragging bill proposing the death penalty for individuals convicted of student deaths resulting from ragging, alongside life imprisonment for acts of violence that threaten life.
Named the "Sidharthan Anti-Ragging and Student Welfare Act" in memory of Siddharthan, who died following brutal ragging at Pookode Veterinary College, the legislation is set to be passed during the upcoming assembly session.

Under the provisions of the draft bill, individuals will face 10 years of imprisonment if a student dies by suicide due to ragging, and seven years for causing grievous hurt. If the offense is committed by a group, all participants will be subject to equal punishment. Furthermore, educational institution authorities who ignore or cover up ragging complaints will face the same penalties prescribed for the accused.

The draft mandates that a criminal case must be registered within 24 hours of an incident. Accused individuals will be barred from admission to any other educational institution for up to five years, while colleges that conceal ragging incidents will forfeit their official recognition.

To facilitate reporting, authorities will introduce the "Sidharthan Student Distress App," allowing anyone to file complaints with the police while keeping their details strictly confidential. The legislation broadly defines ragging to encompass any act causing physical or mental harm, including intimidation, humiliation, abuse, and wounding.

Although the Kerala Prohibition of Ragging Act was enacted in 1998, implementation rules were never framed. The High Court previously directed the state government to enact a robust new law amid recurring incidents. The government will inform the court during a hearing on the 29th that the new legislation will be passed within three months.

According to University Grants Commission data, the state records an average of 55 ragging complaints annually, though the High Court has observed that actual figures are significantly higher because many victims fear coming forward.
Weighing in on the legislative push, V.D. Satheesan stated that ragging is escalating, particularly within professional colleges, necessitating an exceptionally stringent law.