Students get 10 yrs jail in rape-ragging case | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Students get 10 yrs jail in rape-ragging case

Hindustan Times | By, Thiruvananthapuram
Feb 26, 2009 11:43 PM IST

A special court in Kottayam sentenced two students of a nursing college to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) and another to three years of RI for raping a junior during a ragging incident, reports Ramesh Babu.

A special court in Kottayam on Thursday sentenced two students of a nursing college to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) and another to three years of RI for raping a junior during a ragging incident.

HT Image
HT Image

Special court judge K Sasidharan Nair on Wednesday found the three guilty while letting off three other students. The principal of the School of Medical Education (SME) and the head of the psychiatry department of Kottyam Medical College were also let off for want of evidence. They were charged with conspiracy to destroy evidence.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Renjith Verghese, TV Sherin and Shefique Yusef, in their early 20s, were sentenced under various sections of the Indian Penal Code including Section 354 (use of criminal force to outrage the modesty of a woman) and Section 377 (2) g (gangrape) and under the provisions of the Prohibition of Ragging Act.

The case had created an uproar in Kerala and invited the attention of the Supreme Court. Even the R.K. Raghavan panel, appointed by the HRD Ministry to formulate guidelines against ragging, has quoted the SME ragging case.

In what started off as a case of ragging and went beyond it, the prosecution said the accused sexually assaulted the victim, a first year BSc nursing student, in a deserted laboratory in 2005. Initially, there were attempts to hush up the case and the victim was forcibly admitted in the psychiatry ward of Kottayam Medical College.

During trial, the doctor who treated the girl, Dr Saibunisa Beevi, was made an accused for not complying with medico-legal formalities. The case came to light three weeks later when student organisations took it up. Later, a team of doctors confirmed sexual assault on the 17-year-old girl.

The victim, the daughter of a poor rubber plant employee, subsequently quit the college. In 2007, there was an attempt on her life.

“I am really happy; the judicial system is there to protect the poor. I am satisfied with the verdict”, said the girl’s father after the verdict.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Arvind Kejriwal Arrest Live Updates, Bihar Board 12th Result Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Ramesh Babu is HT’s bureau chief in Kerala, with about three decades of experience in journalism.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On