Kerala HC Directs State to Implement Draft Anti-Ragging Bill Measures Pending Legislation

The Kerala High Court has directed the state government to implement the modalities prescribed under the draft anti-ragging Bill until the proposed legislation is finalised by the Legislature. The court said the interim measures should remain in force subject to the final approval and enactment of the Bill.

A special bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice C Jayachandran issued the direction while hearing a petition filed by the Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KeLSA) seeking effective enforcement of anti-ragging laws and the creation of a mechanism to monitor incidents in educational institutions.

The bench observed that since the draft Bill was under active consideration and could take some time for completion, the framework proposed in it could be followed in the interim. “Till the finalisation of the draft Bill, the modalities prescribed under the said Bill may be followed and implemented,” the court noted.

In its petition, KeLSA described ragging as a deeply entrenched social menace that continues to affect students across educational institutions, leading to serious psychological, emotional and physical harm. The authority argued that despite existing laws, regulations and judicial directions, incidents of ragging continue due to gaps in implementation and accountability.

KeLSA highlighted alleged ragging cases reported at a government nursing college in Kottayam, a government college at Karyavattom in Thiruvananthapuram, and a private institute in Kozhikode. It contended that such incidents reflected weaknesses in the existing monitoring system.

The legal services authority stressed that preventing ragging requires a structured monitoring mechanism at both state and district levels, along with stronger enforcement measures. It said a comprehensive framework would help ensure accountability and provide better protection to students.

The High Court’s direction comes amid continued concerns over student safety and the need for stronger institutional mechanisms to prevent ragging-related incidents in Kerala’s educational campuses.