The Karnataka Police on Wednesday registered an FIR and arrested all five individuals accused of assaulting and ragging a Kashmiri MBBS student at a medical college in Vijayapura, Karnataka.
The action follows the intervention of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA), which highlighted the issue and sought the involvement of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The incident, which took place earlier this week, reportedly involved a group of senior students subjecting the Kashmiri student to severe physical assault under the guise of ragging.
According to JKSA convener Nasir Khuehami, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) confirmed that an FIR had been registered and the accused had been taken into custody. “I sincerely appreciate Karnataka Chief Minister @siddaramaiah Ji for his swift intervention and prompt action in ensuring justice for the Kashmiri MBBS student who was brutally ragged and assaulted at Karnataka Medical College. The SSP has informed me that an FIR has been registered, and all accused have been taken into custody, ensuring justice is served,” Khuehami posted on X.
He stated that a case has been filed under Sections 115(2), 329(4), 352, 351(2), 189(2), 191(2), and 190 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), as well as Section 116 of the Karnataka Education Act, 1983. The case, registered under Crime No. 87 at Vijayapura Rural Police Station, remains under investigation.
Khuehami also expressed gratitude to Abdullah for raising the issue with the Karnataka government. “I extend my gratitude to the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, @OmarAbdullah Sir, for promptly addressing the matter with his counterpart in Karnataka, ensuring it garnered immediate attention at the highest level. This establishes a strong precedent—ragging, bullying, and any form of intimidation will not be tolerated. Such incidents must not be overlooked. Educational institutions ought to be environments for learning, growth, and inclusivity, free from fear, coercion, and violence,” he added on X.
The assault has sparked outrage, with student organisations and activists calling for stricter enforcement of anti-ragging laws to prevent such incidents in educational institutions. The medical college administration has also initiated an internal inquiry and pledged full cooperation with the police investigation.
