KEM ragging case: Students released on bail

All the 18 students of the premier KEM Medical College's Physiotherapy programme, who were arrested by the Mumbai Police for ragging some of their juniors at a hostel party on Saturday got bail on Monday morning.

Freshers complained of ragging by their seniors, the college called an emergency meeting and decided on a strict punishment.

Cases have been registered against them under Sections 341 & 504 of the IPC and Section 4 of the Maharashtra Anti-Ragging Act. The police claim the students have already confessed to the committee.

"They have tortured the freshers mentally and physically, but they have not hurt them in any way. They will be produced in court on Monday," said Vikram Patil, Senior Police Inspector.

On Saturday the freshers were invited by their seniors to their hostel room where they were forced to enact sexual positions.

One of the ragged students complained to a relative, a senior Mumbai Police officer who informed the hospital. The hospital's anti-ragging committee immediately swung into action and within 24 hours, the senior students were arrested.

If convicted, these students may be jailed for 2 years and dismissed from college. Also, they will not be able to study in any other institution for 5 years.

Families of the victims say the ragging has left their children shaken.

"Earlier our son used to say that how senior medical student ragged him for wearing jeans, so I bought him some formals. So far I have not met him, but he was very scared when he called up and asked us to visit the hospital," said Meghraj Jivnani, parent of a ragged student.

Posted in: Mumbai News