Zero tolerance for ragging: Doon medical college suspends 9 MBBS students

Dehradun’s Doon Medical College has taken strict disciplinary action against nine MBBS students for their involvement in a ragging incident that led to the assault of two junior students inside a hostel on January 12, officials said on Monday.

The action follows an inquiry by the college’s Anti-Ragging Committee, which found students from the 2023 and 2024 batches guilty of subjecting two juniors to physical and mental harassment. Based on the committee’s recommendations, the college administration imposed penalties ranging from suspension to long-term expulsion from hostel and academic activities.

According to officials, two of the students have been suspended from classes for two months and expelled from the hostel and internship for the entire duration of their course. They have also been fined ₹50,000 each . Seven other senior students have been suspended from classes for one month and barred from the hostel for three months.

The inquiry report has been submitted to the Principal of Doon Medical College, Dr. Geeta Jain , who said the institution follows a zero-tolerance policy towards ragging. “Doon Medical College is a ragging-free campus. Any act that violates the dignity and safety of students will invite the strictest possible action,” she said.

Uttarakhand’s Medical and Medical Education Minister, Dhan Singh Rawat , termed the incident “extremely unfortunate” and said he had directed the college authorities to ensure exemplary punishment. “Ragging undermines discipline and order in educational institutions. Such behaviour will not be accepted under any circumstances,” the minister said.

Education experts say swift and visible punitive action plays a crucial role in deterring ragging, especially in medical colleges where hierarchical senior-junior cultures often persist. By imposing suspensions, hostel expulsions and financial penalties, institutions send a clear signal that ragging can have long-term consequences on a student’s academic and professional future.

Doon Medical College has not reported any major ragging-related incidents in recent years, officials noted, adding that the present action is aimed at preventing recurrence and reinforcing a culture of accountability.

Punishment under medical and Anti-Ragging rules :

Under the National Medical Commission (NMC) and University Grants Commission (UGC) anti-ragging regulations, students found guilty of ragging can face penalties including suspension from classes, withholding of scholarships or examination results, expulsion from hostels, debarring from internships, fines, and even cancellation of admission in severe cases. Institutions are also required to report such cases to regulatory authorities and, where applicable, to law enforcement agencies.

The latest action by Doon Medical College aligns with these guidelines and reflects growing pressure on educational institutions to enforce anti-ragging norms strictly and transparently.