"Ragging means causing, inducing, compelling or forcing a student, whether by way of a practical joke or otherwise, to do any act which detracts from human dignity or violated his person or exposes him to ridicule or to forbear from doing any lawful act, by intimidating wrongfully restraining, wrongfully confining, or injuring him or by using criminal force to him or by holding out to him any treat of such intimidation, wrongful restraint, wrongful confinement, injury or the use of criminal force”
- No person who is a student in an educational institution including an institution under the direct management of the University or of the Central Government shall commit ragging.
- Any person who contravenes sub-section (1) shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees or with both.
The following punishments have been laid down for Ragging under the Regulations of the University Grants Commission at the Institutional level.
Depending upon the nature and gravity of the offence as established by the Anti-Ragging Committee of the Institution, the possible punishments for those found guilty of ragging at the institutional level shall be any one or any combination of the following:
- Suspension from attending classes and academic privileges.
- Withholding / withdrawing scholarship / fellowship and other benefits.
- Debarring from Appearing in any test / examination or other evaluation process.
- Withholding results.
- Debarring from representing the institution in any regional, national or international meet, tournament, youth festival, etc.
- Suspension / expulsion from the hostel.
- Cancellation of admission.
- Rustication from the institution for period ranging from 1 to 4 semesters.
- Expulsion from the institution and consequent debarring from admission to any other institution for a specified period.
- Fine ranging between Rupees 25,000/- and Rupees 1 lakh.
- Collective Punishment: When the persons committing or abetting the crime of ragging are not identified, the institution shall resort to collective punishment.