4 PG students of BU expelled from hostel, 13 fined ₹1k each for ragging

Berhampur: Authorities of Berhampur University have expelled four senior post graduate students from the hostel for their alleged role in ragging of juniors, while 13 students have been fined Rs 1,000 each for the offence.
Action against the students was taken on Saturday following the report of the anti-ragging committee, which was investigating the alleged ragging that took place in the hostel on the night of Sept 21.
“They have also been directed to give an undertaking to the post-graduate council chairman that they would not indulge in any such activities in future,” said Geetanjali Dash, university’s vice-chancellor, on Sunday.
The students expelled from the hostel have been asked to vacate the premises in a week. Others have also directed to deposit the fine and undertakings within a week, she said.
Several newcomers had approached the University Grants Commission (UGC) alleging they had faced ragging at the hands of their seniors in the hostel. They claimed the seniors did not allow them to sleep on the night of Sept 21 in the name of an introduction session.
The UGC asked the university authorities to inquire into the matter and furnish an action taken report. The university authorities asked the anti-ragging committee to investigate the incident. Besides verifying footage from CCTV cameras, the committee also interrogated the suspected students to identify those involved in the ragging, said one of committee members.
“We have informed the UGC about the action taken,” Dash said, adding, “We have also sensitised students about the consequence of ragging and warned them not to indulge in such activities.”