A tragic incident has unfolded at GMERS Medical College and Hospital in Dharpur Patan, Gujarat, where a first-year medical student, Anil Methania, died after allegedly being subjected to a ragging exercise by senior students. Anil, 18, a resident of Surendranagar district in Gujarat, collapsed and became unconscious after being forced to stand for three hours as part of an “introduction” or “ragging” session by third-year students at the college hostel.
The incident occurred on the evening of his alleged ragging, after which Anil was rushed to the hospital, where he reportedly gave a statement to police confirming the abusive treatment he had endured. However, despite being hospitalized, Anil succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter.
The incident has sparked outrage, with Anil’s cousin, Dharmendra, demanding justice for the young student. “We received a call from the college informing us that Anil had collapsed. When we arrived, we learned that senior students had ragged him. We want justice,” Dharmendra said.
Hardik Shah, the dean of GMERS Medical College, confirmed the incident, stating that the college acted swiftly by hospitalizing Anil. “We were informed that Anil had collapsed, and after we learned he was a victim of ragging, we immediately contacted the authorities and the family. We will ensure strict action is taken,” Shah stated.
Senior police officer KK Pandya revealed that a complaint had been filed by Anil’s father, and a case of accidental death had been registered. He confirmed that the autopsy had been conducted and authorities were awaiting the report to determine the exact cause of death. “We have asked for detailed information from the college about the ragging incident. Based on the findings, we will take further action,” said Pandya.
In an update later reported by news agency PTI, 15 senior students were named in the FIR related to Anil’s death, and the investigation into the alleged ragging has been expanded.
Ragging, a serious issue in many educational institutions, has been banned by the University Grants Commission (UGC) across India. The UGC has directed universities and colleges to take strict action against students found guilty of engaging in or supporting ragging activities. The tragic death of Anil Methania serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of ragging and has reignited calls for greater accountability and preventive measures on campuses nationwide.
Sources By Agencies
