Kerala High Court Directs 5 College Students Accused Of Ragging Their Juniors To Engage In Social Service For 2 Weeks

The Kerala High Court recently directed five college students of TKM Engineering College to engage in social service for two weeks, to quash the proceedings pending against them for ragging two junior students.

While agreeing to quash the proceedings against them, Justice K. Haripal ordered the petitioners to undergo some kind of social service preferably in the General Hospital for two weeks. 

A case was registered against the five accused for ragging two of their juniors and causing grievous hurt to them. In the FIR, it was alleged that the accused had abused and manhandled the duo near a railway track, causing a nasal bone fracture to one of them.

Arguing that they have settled the matter among themselves, the accused moved the High Court seeking to quash the proceedings pending against them. 

Advocates K. Siju, S. Abhilash, Anjana Kannath and T.S Sreekutty appeared for the petitioners.

Senior Public Prosecutor Hrithwik C.S agreed with the prayer that the proceedings against the petitioners may be quashed. 

However, considering the seriousness of the allegations raised against the petitioners, who meted out cruel treatment to their junior students, he suggested that the petitioners should be directed to do some social work under the supervision of the District Legal Services Authority. 

Advocate A. Muhammed Raffi appeared for the junior students in the matter and supported this submission. 

The Court noted that since the matter was settled, the entire proceedings could be quashed. 

However, the Judge found it fit to direct the petitioners to undergo social service. Therefore, the petitioners were directed to appear before the Secretary, District Legal Services Authority to get deployed for appropriate social service activities.

The Secretary was to see that the petitioners are assigned social services in consultation with the Superintendent, General Hospital for two weeks for at least eight hours a day.

It was clarified that that exoneration would take effect only after production of a certificate proving the satisfactory completion of social services, issued by the Secretary, District Legal Services Authority before the appropriate Station House Officer.

The petition was disposed of accordingly.  

Case Title: Harikrishnan & Ors. v. State of Kerala & Ors. 

Citation: 2022 LiveLaw (Ker) 120 

Click Here To Read/Download The Order