Ragging at AU: Varsity expels BA-LLB student, another suspended

PRAYAGRAJ: A complaint of ragging has been reported by a student of BA-LLB course of Allahabad University (AU) to the proctor, even as the university and its hostels opened once again for students. Following the complaint, a fourth-year student of BA-LLB has been expelled from the hostel and AU with immediate effect, informed central varsity officials.

According to the complaint submitted to proctor Prof Harsh Kumar, an inmate of Shatabadi Boys’ hostel of AU and third year student of BA-LLB has complained that a fellow inmate of the hostel and his senior (fourth year student) in the same course abused him, asked him to remove his clothes and also thrashed him while ordering him to respect seniors on February 14. In his complaint, the third-year student has said that his senior, along with a few other inmates of the same hostel, ragged him and also took away cash from his room.

Following the complaint, while the main accused has been expelled, his friend from the same course has been suspended. A notice has been issued to both students and a reply has been sought, officials said. On the other hand, acting on the same complaint, the Proctor has also lodged a complaint against four students at the Colonelganj police station.

The proctor said that the resident of Shatabdi Boys’ hostel gave a written complaint that on Monday at 11am, the accused inmate was sitting in the balcony of the hostel with his companions. The complainant alleged that the accused asked him to take off clothes and when he refused, his senior started abusing him. The junior student further alleged that again late at night (around 1.30am), the accused student and his companions thrashed the complainant and tore his clothes. They also took away Rs 15,500 and his wrist watch. They even threatened to kill him if he complained to the authorities.

The proctor has issued a notice to the accused which mentioned that the accused was earlier too suspended for ragging. “As this type of act is condemnable and comes under the category of serious offence, therefore, the main accused has been expelled from the hostel and university with immediate effect and till the time the university authorities complete their inquiry in the case”, said Prof Kumar. He added that the main accused has also been asked to appear in the office of the proctor on February 18 along with his parents and submit an explanation on the charges levelled against him.At the same time, a fellow inmate, who too was involved in the incident, has been suspended. He has been asked to reply to the notice on February 19. The complainant was also ragged on October 21, 2019. In that case, 10 students were suspended by the AU administration, including the present main accused, following the complaint. After this, the hostels were closed due to Covid and had opened just a few of days back.