7 students suspended for making juniors go bald

Etawah, Aug 25 (IANS) Succumbing to pressure, the Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences (UPUMS) in Sefai, Etawah has now suspended seven students of the 2018 MBBS batch for three months for ragging the junior students and making them tonsure their heads.

A fine of Rs 25,000 was also slapped on each of them. An FIR will also be lodged against these seven students, sources said. Besides, a penalty of Rs 5,000 was imposed on all 150 students of the 2018 batch. The decision was taken on Saturday.

The university suspended a hostel superintendent, besides removing the Dean of Students' Welfare, and sacking the security personnel who were on duty on the fateful day.

In another development, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also summoned Vice Chancellor Raj Kumar for an urgent meeting.

The UPUMS had earlier denied the incident and had even justified ragging as a part of tradition and 'manner building'. However, as media pressure built up, it finally admitted to the incident and initiated action.

On Tuesday last week, around 150 first-year students were forced to tonsure their heads and march on the campus by their seniors.

The Medical Council of India (MCI) issued a show-cause notice to the Vice Chancellor over the alleged incident of ragging of first-year MBBS students, who were made to shave their heads and salute their seniors.

The council had warned the institution of a Rs 1.5 crore penalty if it failed to respond within 24 hours.

A probe by the district magistrate confirmed that ragging had taken place after which the university authorities also admitted to the incident.

The university dean said that action against employees of the institute was taken due to their carelessness, as they did not inform the administration. The security guards, who were on duty on the fateful day, have been terminated, he added.

Besides, the superintendent of Sakyamuni hostel, where the first-year students live, has been suspended till the completion of the inquiry.