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Judgment
Sathish Ninan, J
The petitioner is a B-Pharm student at the Government Medical College, Kozhikode, of which the sixth respondent is the Principal. The petitioner is doing her fifth semester.
On the complaint of the 10th respondent, as recommended by the Anti Ragging Committee, the petitioner was, as per Ext.P5 order dated 22.11.2022, suspended from the College for a period of six months under the UGC Anti Ragging Regulations. The petitioner preferred appeal before the second respondent-Vice Chancellor of the University. The Committee constituted to hear appeals considered the same, and as per Ext.P10 order dated 24.02.2023 dismissed the appeal. It is challenging the same that the petitioner has approached this Court.
Heard learned counsel Sri.K.M.Firoz on behalf of the petitioner, learned Standing Counsel Sri.P.Sreekumar on behalf of respondents 1 to 5 and the learned Government Pleader on behalf of respondents 6 to 8. In spite of service of notice on the 10th respondent, there is no appearance.
It is noticed in Ext.P10 order of appeal that the 10th respondent has not been attending the classes for the past three months. The petitioner had been under suspension from 22.11.2022 and now almost four and a half months is over. Both have lost their classes.
Educational institutions are not mere imparters of knowledge but has a major role in the making of good human beings. No doubt, it is absolutely necessary to maintain discipline and prohibit activities like ragging in educational institutions. All deterrent measures in the said regard needs to be taken by the institution. But, they also have role of reformation of students.
The Dean (Student Affairs) of the first respondent University has, on a proper comprehension of the role of Educational Institutions as noticed above, contacted the 10th respondent and had counseling with her. The learned Standing Counsel for the University submitted that the 10th respondent has agreed to re-attend the classes, but only on the condition that the petitioner and others would not cause any harassment to her.
Sri.K.M.Firoz, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner vouches that there would not be any such incident from the part of the petitioner or her friends. Petitioner assures that the 10th respondent will be taken into confidence and the petitioner will render her all psychological support as she may require.
From out of the six months suspension imposed, the petitioner suffered suspension of more than four and a half months. On the facts as noticed above, I deem it sufficient that the period of suspension could be brought down from six months till date of passing of this judgment (05.04.2023). However, the petitioner is to ensure that no sort of harassment is meted out to the 10th respondent.
As regards the shortage of attendance if any, for the petitioner and the 10th respondent, in the larger interest of the students, I am sure that the sixth respondent will ensure that all necessary arrangements are made to enable them to regain their required attendance and proceed with the course. The petitioner shall file an undertaking before the sixth respondent on or before 13.04.2023 that, there will not be any sort of harassment from her or at her instance as against the 10th respondent and that if any such event occurs, the petitioner will accept any stringent disciplinary action taken against her.
In the light of the above, let the needful be done by the parties concerned. I place on record the appreciation of this Court to the third respondent, in having taken steps to bring back the students to the institution to complete their education.