Patan (Gujarat): A first-year medical student at GMERS Medical College and Hospital in Dharpur, Patan, has died after allegedly being forced to stand for three hours as part of a ragging exercise by senior students.
The deceased, 18-year-old Anil Methania, reportedly collapsed and fell unconscious after the incident. He was rushed to the hospital but succumbed shortly after. In a statement to the police before his death, Anil mentioned that third-year students had made him stand for hours as part of an "introduction" session, a term often linked with ragging on campuses.
Anil’s family, who lives in Surendranagar, about 150 km from Patan, is demanding justice. “We were informed by the college that Anil had collapsed and was hospitalised. When we arrived, we learned he had been ragged. We want strict action,” said his cousin Dharmendra.
The college dean, Hardik Shah, confirmed the incident, stating, “We immediately hospitalised him after he collapsed. He told police about the ragging. We have informed the authorities and the family, and strict action will be taken.”
Senior police officer KK Pandya said a complaint has been filed by Anil’s father, and an accidental death case has been registered for now. "We have conducted an autopsy and sought a medical report. Based on findings, further action will be taken," he said.
An FIR has been lodged naming 15 senior students. The police are investigating the role of the accused and seeking detailed information from the college.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has a zero-tolerance policy against ragging, which is banned on all campuses across India. Colleges are required to take strict action against those involved in such incidents.
This tragic event has raised serious concerns over ragging on educational campuses, calling for stricter enforcement of anti-ragging laws to prevent such incidents in the future.