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Evasive responses from college authorities lead victim to approach police.
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Hostel superintendent and a college teacher suspended.
Palghar, Maharashtra – A case of ragging has come to light at the hostel of a private medical college in Wada taluka of Maharashtra’s Palghar district, where a Hindu female student was forced to offer namaz. Following the student’s complaint, a police case has been registered, and the hostel superintendent and a college teacher have been suspended.
Details of the incident
The incident occurred on Sunday night at the Ideal Foundation College in Posheri.
The student who is a first-year physiotherapy student, had enrolled in the college only four days earlier, and was residing in the college hostel. According to the victim’s complaint, she was intercepted on the fifth floor of the hostel by a student wearing a niqab (face veil). Despite the victim’s refusal, the accused forced her to offer namaz.
Case registered against the accused
After the student informed her father of the incident, a complaint was lodged with the college administration. However, the complaint was met with evasive responses from the college authorities, prompting the family to approach the police.
Subsequently, a formal case was registered, and disciplinary action was initiated. The hostel superintendent and a college teacher were suspended pending further investigation.
Hindu organisations demand strict action
Members of Hindu organisations, including the Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), have demanded strict action against those responsible and warned of protests if appropriate measures are not taken.
Palghar SP assures strict action against the accused
The Palghar Superintendent of Police Mr. Yatin Deshmukh, visited the college premises to review the situation following the complaint. He said that a case has been registered under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Maharashtra Prohibition of Ragging Act. The police are currently scrutinising CCTV footage and recording statements from other students to identify the accused. Strict action will be taken against those found guilty.
College administrator Ms. Chehak Jain stated that no such incident had occurred previously at the institution and assured that the management would fully cooperate with the police investigation.
