Home / Legal Explainers / Crimes & Violence / Violence & Abuse / Ragging

Ragging is any physical, verbal or mental abuse committed by one student against another student belonging to an educational institute.

Ragging

This explainer discusses the laws related to ragging in institutions of higher studies, like colleges and universities. It primarily deals with the law laid out in the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.

What is Ragging?
Acts considered as Ragging
Anti-Ragging Authorities
Duties of Institutions to Prevent Ragging
Complaining Against Ragging
Appeal against Ragging Complaints
Punishment for Ragging

FAQs

Can I be punished for abetment to suicide if I ragged a student and he tried to commit suicide?

If you rag someone and he/she then tries to commit suicide, you can be punished for both ragging and for abetment to suicide. While the punishment for ragging varies from administrative punishments (for example, suspension) to a criminal complaint, the punishment for abetment to suicide is jail time of up to 10 years and a fine(( Section 306, the Indian Penal Code, 1860.)).

What can I do when there is no Anti-Ragging Squad or other authorities, or if these authorities are not helping?

If there is no Anti-Ragging Squad or other authorities, or if such authorities are not helping you, you can take the following actions to stop ragging: National Anti-Ragging Helpline The University Grants Commission has set up a helpline number and email address that you can reach out to, in case you are being ragged. The helpline number is 1800 – 180 – 5522, and the email address is helpline@antiragging.in. Online Complaint The University Grants Commission has set up a web portal where you can lodge an online complaint. To lodge a complaint, go here, where you will be asked to give certain details, like your name, the college, the details of the incident, etc. Try to give as much detail as you can. You can also track your complaint here by clicking on “Track Complaint”. Police In case of a serious case of ragging, you can complain to the police, and file an FIR against the student(s) responsible for ragging you. In such a case, the police will investigate the matter, and take required steps to punish the students responsible for ragging.

Can I complain against ragging on my friend’s behalf?

Yes, you can complain on your friend’s behalf if your friend is being ragged. Sometimes, the person who is being ragged cannot complain out of fear or other reasons, and in such a case, another person may complain on his/her behalf. The law allows anyone to file a ragging complaint on behalf of a student and the person doing so will not get in trouble for merely reporting an incident of ragging(( Section 6.2(g), the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.))

Is ragging for fun a crime?

Yes, ragging for any reason is a crime. In 2001, the Supreme Court of India in the case of Vishwa Jagriti Mission vs. The Central Govt held that ragging is a crime in India. The intent behind ragging does not matter; even if it is done for fun, or to derive pleasure, to show off authority or superiority – the very act of ragging is a crime under Indian law.

Can women be punished for ragging?

Yes, women can be punished for indulging in ragging. For example, if a female senior rags a junior, she can be punished for ragging. Any one who rags, regardless of gender, can be punished for ragging.

I was sexually harassed while being ragged. What can I do?

If you were sexually harassed while being ragged, you should complain to the college/University authorities, or the police. For example, if your senior not only rags you but sexually harasses you or touches you inappropriately, then you can file a complaint with the police. Read more to understand how the law protects you from sexual harassment.

Will I get in trouble if I help someone rag?

Yes, helping someone rag, known as abetment to ragging(( Section 7, the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.)), will get you in trouble, and you might be punished. For example, if your friend Ram was ragging a junior Shyam, and you helped him by throwing away Shyam’s notebooks, it will be considered as abetment to ragging.

Can a fresher get in trouble for ragging?

Yes, a fresher student can get in trouble for ragging. For example, if a fresher threatens to beat another student up unless the student sings a song in front of the class, it is ragging. A fresher can be punished just as severely as senior students. The college may choose to punish you through administrative means, such as suspension or expulsion. However, if a case can be made out against you under the Indian Penal Code, 1860, a police complaint will be filed against you, and you will be punished more severely.

What is the role of the Head of the institution with respect to a complaint of ragging?

When any information about an incident of ragging is brought to the notice of the Head of a college/university, whether by the Anti-Ragging Squad or otherwise, he must take the following steps(( Section 7, the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.)):

Immediately determine if a case can be made under the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
If a case can be made, then he, or a member of the Anti-Ragging Committee authorized by him, must file an FIR within 24 hours of receiving such information.
The Head must also communicate the incident to the District Level Anti-Ragging Committee and the Nodal Officer of the affiliating University, if any.

If your case is not resolved by the Head of the institution, you can appeal against any decision taken by him or any other college authority.

If I rag someone without causing any physical injury, is that also ragging?

Yes, even if you rag someone without causing any physical injury, that is also considered ragging. Even actions which cause psychological harm would be considered to be ragging(( Section 2, the Curbing the menace of Ragging in Higher Educational Institutions (third amendment), Regulations, 2016.)). For example, if you harass a student by calling him names or making derogatory remarks, it is considered as ragging, even if no physical violence was involved.

Does the law protect transgender students from ragging?

Yes, the law protects all students, regardless of gender or sexuality, from ragging(( Section 2, the Curbing the menace of Ragging in Higher Educational Institutions (third amendment), Regulations, 2016.)). Thus, transgender students are also protected from ragging. If you are a transgender person and are facing ragging, or any form of violence, you should report it to the authorities.

What can I do if I am being blackmailed against filing a complaint for ragging?

If you are being blackmailed against filing a complaint for ragging, you can ask a friend or parent to file a complaint on your behalf. The law allows anyone to file a ragging complaint on behalf of a student and the person doing so will not get in trouble for merely reporting an incident of ragging(( Section 6.2(g), the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.)) Both ragging and blackmailing are crimes in India, and the person harassing you in this manner is liable for punishment for both ragging and blackmailing. For blackmailing, the punishment depends on the act, such as: – If someone intentionally makes you scared of getting hurt to get you to give any object of value, it is an offence(( Section 383, the Indian Penal Code, 1860.)) which is punishable with jail time up to 3 years and/or a fine(( Section 384, the Indian Penal Code, 1860.)). If someone threatens to hurt you, your reputation or property, or that of any other person you are interested in (such as, a family member or friend), to get you to do something or make you feel alarmed, it is an offence(( Section 503, the Indian Penal Code, 1860.)) punishable with at least jail time of up to 2 years and/or a fine(( Section 506, the Indian Penal Code, 1860.)). The punishment may be more severe in other cases.

If a college does not take measures to prevent ragging, what measures can be taken against it?

If a college does not prevent ragging, certain measures can be taken against it. This can be done either by the University with which the college is affiliated or the University Grants Commission (UGC). Measures by the University If a college which is affiliated with a University does not take measures to prevent ragging, the University can take the following actions(( Section 9.2, the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.)):

Withdraw the affiliation or other privileges
Prohibit the students of that college from being awarded a degree recognized by that University. However, the University Grants Commission will make arrangements to ensure that other students are able to pursue their studies.
Withhold any grants allocated/given by the University to the college
Any other appropriate penalty within the powers of the University

Measures by the University Grant Commission The UGC (University Grant Commission) can take the following steps against any college/university which is not adopting measures to prevent ragging(( Section 9.4, the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.)):

Withdraw the declaration of fitness required to receive grants
Withdraw any allocated grants
Declare the college/university ineligible for any general or special assistance programs
Inform the general public (for example, through the newspaper) that the college/university does not possess minimum academic standards
Take any other appropriate penalty within the powers of the University Grants Commission

Can a child, who is less that 18 years of age, be punished for ragging?

Yes, a minor can also be punished for ragging. For example, if a 17 year old threatens to beat someone up unless he/she sings a song in front of the class, it is ragging. If you rag anyone as a minor, you may be subjected to administrative punishment as mentioned here, such as expulsion from the college. In case of a serious incident, you may be punished with a more severe penalty, under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, which is the law(( The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.)) that regulates the punishment of minors in case of an offence. Generally, under this law, the Juvenile Justice Board determines how a minor found guilty of an offence will be punished and rehabilitated.

I was ragged, and I reported it to a teacher, but he did not take any further action. Can the teacher be punished?

If you were ragged and reported the incident to a teacher, or any member of the staff, but the teacher did not take any further action, he or she can be(( Section 9.3, the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.)) subjected to disciplinary action that is prescribed by your college. You must inform them about the ragging incident and the lack of action by the teacher to the Anti-Ragging Squad or the Head of the college, like the Director. If the Head of the college is the one who has not taken any action when an incident of bullying has been reported to them, they can also be subjected to disciplinary action, as well as punishment under the Indian Penal Code, 1860.