Five Senior Nursing Students Arrested for Ragging First-Year Juniors

Gandhi Nagar Police took swift action on Tuesday, arresting five students accused of subjecting first-year students to severe ragging at the Government Nursing College. The detained individuals include second-year general nursing students Samuel Johnson (20) and Jeeva NS (19), along with third-year students Rahul Raj KP (22), Rijiljith C (21), and Vivek NV (21). Following the police intervention, the college principal suspended the students involved, and a case was registered against them under the Prohibition of Ragging Act, 2011.

According to the complaint filed by three first-year students, the accused engaged in extreme harassment over the past three months at the men’s hostel. The victims reported being forced to strip and endure physical torment, including the placement of dumbbells on sensitive areas and injuries inflicted with a compass. Additionally, the perpetrators poured lotion on the wounds, intensifying their suffering.

The seniors also exploited their juniors financially, demanding Rs 800 to fund liquor purchases and other personal expenses. Reports further indicate that they coerced the first-year students into consuming alcohol and used recorded footage as a means of intimidation, preventing them from disclosing the abuse.

The situation escalated when one of the victims was brutally beaten on Monday for refusing to provide money. Unable to endure further violence, the student confided in his parents, who immediately advised him and his peers to approach the police. Their intervention led to the arrests and an ongoing investigation.

The Government Nursing College, operating under the Kottayam Government Medical College, has since taken disciplinary measures to ensure student safety and prevent future incidents of ragging.