Two freshers brutally beaten up at Satyawati College
It has barely been a few days into the new academic session at the Delhi University and students have already fallen prey to the vicious circle of ragging. In spite of several attempts made by the university and the Delhi Police to curb ragging this year, two freshers were brutally beaten up at Satyawati College (Evening) by a group of 20 ex-students and second-year students on Tuesday. The college authorities, allegedly, discouraged the victims to complain to the police and tried to hush up the matter. The police was equally callous in its approach and refused to register a case of ragging even though the victims and other students in the college claimed that it was a clear case of ragging.
Puneet Kumar, a first year student of BCom, alleged that when he had reported to th police and the college administration that he was being ragged, they didn't listen to him and only asked him to put down all the details. "Just when the incident happened, I told the police everything and made it very clear that the seniors were trying to rag us. However, the police kept asking us to write down all our details and said that we will see accordingly what case to file," informed Puneet.
The incident took place after Puneet and his friend Ravi were stopped by a group of students on their way to class. Puneet narrated, "I was going to my class to get my bag when this group of seniors stopped my way. They asked me and my friend our names which we told them. Then they asked us to come to the class with them. We replied back asking them where they were taking us and one of them slapped me. Then everyone started hitting me. Ravi tried to help me and they beat him up as well, though not too badly."
DCP (North West) Gnana Sambhandan added that a PCR call was received about a quarrel on Tuesday evening. "The police team investigated the matter and the victims complained that they were thrashed in the college premises after an argument while they were coming down the staircase of the college," he said. The victim suffered injuries on his head, face and stomach. "They hit me with the broomstick. I have three stitches on my head and there are wounds on my stomach and face," said Puneet.
While based on what the victim says, it appears as a case of ragging, the police have recorded a statement which doesn't even hint ragging. "The victims did not complain about ragging and said that they were beaten up. Thus, a case under Section 323 (voluntary causing hurt)/342 (wrongful restrain)/34 has been registered," said Sambhandan.
Puneet alleged that his father, who had gone to the police on Wednesday morning, might have been pressurised to change the earlier statement given by him which clearly mentioned ragging. "When the police asked me for details, I mentioned ragging a lot of times. But the official statement was given by my father as I was not in a condition to travel so much. I don't know what he has told the police, but if he hasn't mentioned ragging there must be pressure," said the victim.
Meanwhile, the college management was not within reach despite several attempts. The police said that when they spoke to the principal, he said that the anti-ragging committee was verifying the claims. Since the matter has gone to the anti-ragging committee, a case of ragging could be filed based on their decision, said a student in college on the basis of anonymity.