The Kerala High Court has taken a firm stance against the growing menace of ragging in educational institutions by instructing the Multidisciplinary Working Group to hold a preliminary meeting and outline a structured action plan. This directive was issued on March 27th by a bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice C. Jayachandran.
"According to us, this working group should now hold a preliminary meeting in which further plan of action can be decided," observed the bench while emphasizing the urgency of the issue.
Legal Concerns Over Ragging in Kerala
The Kerala State Legal Service Authority (KeLSA) had approached the High Court, highlighting the increasing instances of ragging across educational institutions. Responding to the concerns raised, the court had earlier directed the State to present the draft composition of the Working Group. This committee has been entrusted with the task of addressing the gaps in the Kerala Prohibition of Ragging Act, 1998, and formulating amendments along with necessary rules.
The State Government informed the court that the Working Group will be chaired by the Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department. The committee will also include:
- Principal Secretaries and Secretaries from various departments
- Law Secretary
- A representative from the police department
- A former Vice-Chancellor
- A Registrar
- Professors of psychiatry from different universities
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The High Court has ordered the Working Group to conduct its preliminary meeting at the earliest and finalize its future course of action. In addition, it specified the following guidelines:
- A representative from KeLSA must be included in the initial meeting.
- The police department representative should hold a rank no lower than an Inspector General.
- The Chairman has the liberty to invite additional experts if their inputs are deemed necessary.
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Next Steps in the Legal Process
The case is scheduled for its next hearing on April 10th, by which time the court expects progress from the Working Group. This initiative marks a significant step towards strengthening anti-ragging regulations and ensuring a safer educational environment in Kerala.
By reinforcing legal mechanisms and streamlining preventive measures, the Kerala High Court aims to curb the deeply concerning issue of ragging and foster a culture of safety and respect within academic institutions.
Case Title: Kerala State Legal Service Authority v Government of Kerala and Others
Case No: WP(C) 8600/ 2025
