Anti-ragging Act: Kerala HC expresses displeasure over delay

Kochi: High court has adjourned for three weeks a PIL seeking a directive to the state govt to reassess the Prohibition of Ragging (Kerala) Act and frame rules to ensure the effective eradication of ragging, enabling the govt to take steps for the approval of draft amendments to the Act.A bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice C Jayachandran, meanwhile, expressed displeasure over the delay in processing approval of the amendment bill. HC was considering the PIL by the Kerala Legal Services Authority (KeLSA) seeking effective measures to eradicate ragging in the aftermath of an incident at the Govt College of Nursing, Kottayam, where junior students were allegedly subjected to severe physical abuse, including being forced to tie dumbbells to their private parts.During hearing on Tuesday, the director general of prosecution submitted that although the chief minister had approved the draft bill, remarks from some other departments still had to be considered as the legislation was penal in nature. He sought additional time for the same. Meanwhile, counsel for KeLSA pointed out that the draft bill had already been approved by the chief minister for placement before the cabinet. However, the present instruction appeared to indicate a reversal of the earlier decision, meaning that repeating the entire process could be difficult, especially with the elections on the anvil.Noting the submissions, HC observed that the approval granted by the CM has become a meaningless exercise since the process is to be repeated. It further observed that it had expected a cabinet decision in the matter. Meanwhile, a communication from the govt indicated that the draft bill would be placed before the cabinet and that the draft code had been prepared accordingly. It was also stated that remarks from certain departments were yet to be obtained for incorporation into the draft bill.HC accordingly directed the state govt to set a deadline for receiving remarks from the departments so that the bill could take the shape of a law at the earliest. The petition was thereafter adjourned for three weeks.