A prominent school in Himachal Pradesh's Hamirpur district has become the centre of a disturbing case involving the alleged ragging and sexual harassment of a junior student by his seniors. Police have registered a formal case against six senior students following a complaint that details abuse, obscene acts, and instigation to attempt suicide.
FIR Lodged Under Stringent Laws
The First Information Report (FIR) has been filed under multiple serious sections of the law. The case invokes Sections 3 and 4(5) of the Himachal Pradesh Educational Institutions (Prohibition of Ragging) Act, 2009. These sections specifically deal with the prohibition of ragging and outline the responsibilities of educational authorities to prevent and report such incidents.
In a significant escalation, the police have also applied Section 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, which pertains to sexual harassment of a child. This indicates the grave nature of the allegations involving obscene acts.
Chronology of Alleged Harassment and Inaction
According to the police complaint, the victim student stated that the six accused seniors subjected him to abuse, harassment, and coerced him into performing obscene acts over a period of several weeks. The incident came to light when the student formally approached the police on December 3.
The situation reportedly worsened after the victim tried to seek help. After he reported the matter to his hostel warden, the accused students allegedly targeted him again. This subsequent attack included physical assault and forcing the junior student to remain in a squatting position for nearly 45 minutes as further punishment and intimidation.
Hamirpur Superintendent of Police, Balbir Singh Thakur, confirmed that the matter is under active investigation. He also revealed a crucial detail pointing towards possible prior inaction: the victim's father had earlier raised similar concerns with the school administration before the police complaint was filed.
Investigation Underway and Broader Implications
With the FIR now officially registered, the Hamirpur police are investigating the roles of all six accused senior students. The case puts a sharp focus on the implementation of anti-ragging guidelines and child protection laws within educational institutions, especially residential hostels.
The application of the POCSO Act alongside the state's anti-ragging law underscores the legal severity with which authorities are treating this case. It serves as a stern reminder to all educational institutions about their mandatory duty to provide a safe and secure environment for all students and to act promptly on any complaints of bullying or harassment.
The outcome of this investigation will be closely watched, as it tests the efficacy of legal frameworks designed to protect children from abuse within the very spaces meant for their learning and development.
