MCI issues notice to UP varsity in ragging case

Kanpur, Aug 23 (IANS) An alleged incident of ragging of over 150 first-year medical students of the Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences (UPUMS) has snowballed into a major controversy.

The Medical Council of India (MCI) has issued a notice to the Vice-Chancellor Raj Kumar over the alleged ragging at the varsity on Monday.

According to the report, a group of seniors allegedly forced over 150 first-year UPUMS students to shave their heads and parade on the campus.

After the video and the photos of the parading students went viral, the University administration ordered a probe.

In the notice, MCI Secretary General R.K. Vats has warned the University authorities of a fine, barring the seniors from attending classes for a month, and adding the UPUMS to the category of 'erring' institutions over the alleged ragging case.

The notice further warned the VC that the University's recognition would be ended for a year if his reply was found to be unsatisfactory.

The MCI notice came after proctor Ramakant Yadav-led UPUMS inquiry panel exonerated the seniors from the blame of alleged ragging.

The UPUMS authorities initially played down the alleged ragging by maintaining that students got their heads shaved as part of a tradition.

A two-member team comprising Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Satya Prakash Singh and Circle Officer Massa Singh conducted a probe in the matter.

The team submitted its report to the District Magistrate J.B. Singh confirming that heads of over 150 new students were tonsured.

In the report, it was said that the University authorities did not do anything to stop the alleged ragging.

The report said the university's anti-ragging committee was ineffective.

In 2007, the Supreme Court had issued guidelines for the prevention and prohibition of ragging in educational institutions.