Birsa Agricultural University expels 3 accused of ragging

RANCHI: Following an FIR against three students accused of ragging a first year under graduate student, Birsa Agricultural University (BAU) on Monday issued a notice of expulsion notice to Firoj Ahmad, Pratap Kumar Singh and Prashant Kumar.
The forestry department of the varsity also said that it was important to bridge the communication gap between the administration and hostellers.
"At a high-level meeting chaired by acting vice chancellor Nitin Madan Kulkarni, agriculture secretary, on Monday with teachers and wardens, it was revealed that there is a communication gap between us and the students and the latter found it difficult to share their problems," forestry's dean Mahadev Mahto told TOI.
"We have been instructed to convey the VC immediately about any such incidents of ragging in the future on the campus. We have also decided to strengthen our bond with the students. Students should not hesitate to approach us," the dean added.
On Saturday, a newly admitted under graduate student complained of assault by the three students in the varsity's Saranda hostel. The victim alleged that his hands and legs were tied for hours after he refused to consume alcohol.
The victim also said that he was stripped, tonsured and beaten up and cold water was poured on him. While seven of his batch mates were also harassed, he was meted out with the worst treatment.
The victim lodged a complaint with the university authorities and Kanke police station.
The chief warden and the deputy warden of the forestry department boy's hostel were on leave at the time of the incident. Mahadev Mahato assured to set up a committee to probe the incident.
However, the victim's batch mates accused him of passing racial comments on them.
"He is a Brahmin but always abused us for belonging to the scheduled tribe, scheduled caste or other backward classes. We really felt humiliated ," Aman Sandil of Chaibasa said. Sandil also accused the victim of stealing Rs 1,000 collected for the Christmas gathering.
"He was beaten up by us for stealing. But there was no injury," Sandil added.
Police officials could not confirm the reason behind the ragging. "It certainly points to ragging but we cannot confirm as the investigation is still going on. There are various reasons. We are yet to draw a conclusion," sAmit Kumar Kacchap, DSP headquarter, who is probing the case said.