Holding

The Court laid down detailed guidelines obligating educational institutions to prevent ragging, emphasizing internal disciplinary mechanisms and limited police involvement.

Summary

The Supreme Court entertained a public‑interest writ petition filed by Vishwa Jagruti Mission seeking directions to curb the menace of ragging in educational institutions. Relying on Articles 32 and 142 of the Constitution, the Court observed that ragging is a serious social problem requiring not only criminal legislation but also institutional discipline. It issued comprehensive interim guidelines directing colleges and universities to create awareness, obtain undertakings from students and parents, form anti‑ragging committees, and impose internal punishments such as suspension, expulsion, or loss of scholarships. The Court emphasized that police intervention should be a last resort and must be non‑violent, while failure of an institution to prevent ragging would constitute negligence liable to financial sanctions by the UGC. The petition was disposed of after the issuance of these guidelines.

Issues considered

What measures should be directed by the Court to curb ragging in educational institutions?
Who bears responsibility for preventing ragging – the institution, its management, or the police?
Whether the Court can issue interim guidelines under its constitutional powers in a public‑interest litigation concerning ragging.

Legislation cited

Constitution of Indias. Article 142, s. Article 32

Subjects

raggingeducational institutionspublic interest litigationguidelinesstudent disciplinepolice involvementUniversity Grants CommissionArticle 32Article 142

Judgment

A VISHWA JAGRITI MISSION THROUGH PRESIOENT
v.
CENTRAL GOVT. THROUGH CABINET SECRETARY AND ORS:

MAY 4, 2001

B [R.C. LAHOTI AND BRIJESH KUMAR, JJ.]

Educational Institutions-Ragging-What is-Need of creating
awareness amongst students, teachers, parents and al~ concerned against
menace of ragging emphasised-Guidelines laid down and directions issued
C to Educational Institutions, their heads of management and teaching faculty
and other persons incharge to curb ragging-Deterrent measures to be
adopted against erring students-Ifneed be matter may be reported to police
but police -should never be violent in dealing with erring students and be
always guided by a correctional attitude-Failure to prevent ragging to be
D construed as an act of negligence in maintaining discipline in the institution
on the part of management, the principal and perso'!s in authority of the
institution-UGC and Central Government would bring these guidelines to
notice of all educational institutions and would issue press notes.

CIVIL ORIGINAL JURISDICTION : Writ.Petition (C) No. 656 of
E 1998.

(Under Article 32 orthe Constitution of India)

Soli J. Sorabjee, Attorney Genera( Mllkul Rohtagi, Additional Solicitor
General, Manoj Swamp, Ms. Maulina Swamp, Maninder Singh, Pratibha M.
F Singh, Ankur Talwar, Ajay Shanna, C. Radhakrishila, Ms. Sushma Suri, Gaurab
Banerjee, Sidharth Bhatnagar, Joseph Pookk~tt and Prashant Kumar for the
appearing parties.

The following Judgment of the Court was delivered :

G Pursuant to our order dated 3.3.2001, the University Grants Commission
has filed written submissions/guidelines. An advance copy has already been
supplied to the learned counsel opposite. - I

~--
This public interest litigation highlights a menace prevading the
H educational institutions of the country which in spite of efforts made by the
540
VISHWA JAGRITI MISSION THROUGH PRESIDENT v. CENT. GOVT THROUGH CABINET SEC. 541

.,.., Central Government, the University Grants Commission, State Governments A
.._,... and some of the educational institutions is unfortunately showing an upwards
trend. The petitioner seeks directions of this Court so as to curb the menace
of ragging.

The pleadings are complete. Inasmuch as the petition involves dealing
with an issue which
/
is likely to affect a large
-
number of students and relationship B
of the students inter se belonging to different age-groups and coming from
different social and cultural background as also the relationship of the students
with the institution, the petition needs a detailed hearing. The issues arising
for decision cannot be dealt with through a legalistic approach only;
sociological and psychological factors shall have to be kept in view. However,
all the learned counsel appearing in the case have submitted that the Court
c
is shortly closing for summer vacation and by the time it re-opens most of
the educational institutions may have become functional and therefore it
would be in public interest if some guidelines by way of an interim order are
laid down by this Court. Accordingly, we have heard the learned counsel for
the parties. D
In exercise of the jurisdiction conferred by Article 32 and Article 142 of
the Constitution we issue the following guidelines :-

This Court views with concern the increase in the number of incidents
of ragging in educational institutions. Some of the reported incidents have E
crossed the limits of decency, morality and humanity. Some of the States have
acted by enacting legislations and making ragging as .defined therein a
cognizable and punishable offence. However, we feel ragging cannot be cured
merely by making it a cognizable criminal offence. Moreover, we feel that the
acts of indiscipline and misbehaviour on the part of the students must primarily
F
be dealt with within the institution and by exercise of the disciplinary authority
of the teachers over the students and of the management of the institutions
over the teachers and students. Students ought not ordinarily be subjected
to police action unless it be unavoidable. The students going to educational
institutions for learning should not remain under constant fear of being dealt
with by police and sent to jail and face the courts. The faith in the teachers G
for the purpose of maintaining discipline should be restored and the
responsibility fixed by emphasising the same.
-~
Broadly speaking Ragging is:

Any disorderly conduct whether by words spoken or writte3 or by an H
542 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2001] 3 S.C.R.

A act which has the effeet of teasing, treating or handling with rudeness any •>
ot_her student, indulging in rowdy or indisciplined activities which causes or
is likely to cause annoyance, hardship or psychological harm or to raise fear
or apprehension thereof in a fresher or a junior student or asking the students
to do any act or perform something which such student will not do in the
B ordinary course and which has ihe effect of causing or generating a sense
of shame or embarrassment so as to adversely affect the physique or psyche
or a fresher or a junior student.

The cause of indulging in ragging is deriving sadistic pleasure or
showing off power, authority or superiority by the seniors over their juniors
C or freshers.

Ragging can be stooped by creating awareness amongst the students,
teachers and
. parents that .is
. ragging a reprehensible act which does no good '
to any one and by simultaneously generating an atmosphere of discipline by
sending a clear message that no act ofragging shall be tolerated arid any act
D of ragging shall not go unnoticed and unpunished. '

Anti-ragging movement should be initiated by the institutions right
from the time of advertisement for admissions. The prospectus, the form for
admission and/or any other literature issued to aspirants for admission must
clearly mention that ragging is banned in the institution and any one indulging
E in ragging is likely to be punished appropriately which· punishment may
include ewulsion from the institution, suspension from the institution or
clas~es f~r a limited period or fine with a public apology. The punishment may
also take the. shape of : (i) withholding scholarships or other benefits (ii)
debarring from rel>resentatiori in events (iii) withholding results (iv) suspension
F or expulsion from hostel or mess, and the like. If there be any legislation
governing ragging or any proVision~ in the Sta~ute/Ordinances they should
be brought to the notice of the students/parents seeking admi~sions.

The application form for admission/enrolment shall have a printed
undertaking to be filled up and signed by the candidate to the effect that he/
G she is aware of the institution's approach towards ragging and the punishments
to which he or she shall be liable if found guilty of ragging. A similar
undertaking shall be obtained from the parent/guardian of tlie applicant.

Such of the institutions as are introducing such a s}rstem for the first >--:
. time shall. ensure undertakings being obtained from the students and their
H parents/guardians already studying in the institutions before the commencement
r
'

VISHWA JAGRITI MISSION THROUGH PRESIDENT v. CENT GOVT. THROUGH CABINET. SEC. 543

of the next educational year/session. A
A printed leaflet detailing when and to whom one has to turn for
informati'On, help and guidance for various purposes, keeping in view the
needs of new entrants in the institution, along with the addresses and telephone
numbers of such persons,. should be given to freshers at the time of admissions
so that the freshers need not look up to the seniors for help in such matters B
and feel indebted to or obliged by them.

The management, the principal, the teaching staff should interact with
freshers and take them in confidence by apprising them of their rights as well
as obligation to flight against ragging and to generate confidence in their C
mind that any instance of ragging to which they are subjected or which comes
in their knowledge should forthwith be brought to their knowledge and shall
be promptly dealt with while protecting the complainants from any harassment
by perpetrators of ragging. It would be better if the head of the institution
or a person high in authority addresses meetings of teachers, parents and
students collectively or in groups in this behalf. D
At the commencement of the academic session, the institution should
constitute a proctorial committee consisting of senior faculty members and
hostel authorities like wardens and a few responsible senior students :-

(i) to keep a continuous watch and vigil over ragging so as to E
prevent its occurrence and recurrence,
(ii) to promptly deal with the incidents of ragging brought to its
notice and summarily punish the guilty either by itself or by
putting-forth its finding/recommendation/suggestions before the
authority competent to take decision. F
All vulnerable locations shall be identified and specially watched.

The local community and the students in particular must pe made aware
of dehumanising effect of ragging inherent in its perversity. Posters, notice
boards and sign-boards-wherever necessary, may be used for the purpose.
G
Failure to prevent ragging shall be construed as an act of negligence
in maintaining discipline in the institution on the part of the management, the
principai and the persons in authority of the institution. Similar responsibility
shall be liable to be fixed on hostel wardens/superintendents.

The hostels/accommodations where freshers are accommodated shall be H
544 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2001] 3 S.C.R.

A carefully guarded, if necessary by posting security personnel, and placed
'->'
incharge of a warden/superintendent who should himself/herself reside thereat,
and wherein the entry of seniors and outsiders shall be prohibited after r
specified hour of night and before except under the permission of the person
incharge. Entry at other times may also be regulated.

B If the individuals committing or abetting ragging are not identified
collective punishment could be resorted to act as a deterrent punishment and
to ensure collective pressure on the potential raggers.

Migration certificate issued by the institution should have an entry ....
apart from that of general conduct and behaviour whether the student had
c participated in and in particular was punishe4 for ragging.

If an institution fails to curb ragging, the UGC/Funding Agency may
-:
consider stoppage of financial assistance to such an institution till such time
as it achieves the same. An University may consider disaffiliating a college
or institution failing to curb ragging.
D
The Universities and the institutions shall at a reasonable time before
the commencement of an academic year, and therefore at such frequent intervals
as may be ex-pedient deliberate over and devise such positive and constructive
activities to be arranged by involving the students generally so that the
E seniors and juniors, and the existing studei;its and the freshers, interact with
each other in a healthy atmosphere and develop a friendly relationship so as
to behave like members of a family in an institution. Seniors or juniors should
be encouraged to exhibit their talents in such events so as to shed their
complexes.
A.
F We make it clear that guidelines are only illustrative and are not intended
to c~me in the way of the institutions and ~uthorities devising ways and
means tQ curb the ragging. If there are local laws governing ragging they shall
be implemented and knowledge and information about such laws shall also
be disseminated. Ragging if it becomes unmanageable or· amounts to a
cognizable offence the same may be reported to the police. However, the
G
police should be called in or allowed entry in the campus at the instance of
the head of the instituti~n or the i}ersC?n in ~harge. We expect the police also
to deal with such incidents when brought to its notice for action by keeping .....
in mind that they are dealing with. students and not criminals. The action of _....... ,_
the police should never be violent and be always guided by a correctional
H attitude.
VISHWA JAGRITI MISSION THROUGH PRESIDENT v. CENT. GOVT. THROUGH CABINET. SEC. 545

The UGC shall bring these guidelines to the notice of all educational A
institutions. Publicity may also be given by issuing press notes in public
interest by UGC and Central Government.

List after summer vacation.

RP. Petition disposed of. B