The Hindu : New Delhi News : Sacked Kangra college principal can’t continue as teacher: Supreme Court

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

New Delhi

New Delhi

Sacked Kangra college principal can’t continue as teacher: Supreme Court

Legal Correspondent

Raghavan panel to probe all incidents of ragging in medical college
A.P. Chief Secretary to file affidavit on action against principal of agricultural college

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Himachal Pradesh government to immediately suspend Suresh Sankhyan, who was principal of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Medical College, Kangra, at the time of the death of student Aman Kachroo, a victim of ragging.

A Bench consisting of Justice Arijit Pasayat and Justice A.K. Ganguly gave this direction after Additional Solicitor-General Gopal Subramaniam, amicus curiae, informed the Court that though Mr. Sankhyan had been removed as principal, he was still continuing as a teacher.

The Bench also asked the R.K. Raghavan Committee to investigate the various incidents of ragging reported in the institution in the past and to submit a report by April 20.

In its order, the Bench said: “From the affidavit of the Chief Secretary, it appears that Dr. Suresh Sankhyan has been removed from the post of principal. It is accepted that he is continuing in the college. Report of Sandeep Kumar, Additional District Magistrate, Kangra, at Dharamshala reveals the casual approach and leniency of the principal and the hostel warden in dealing with a serious matter like the one at hand.”

“It would not be in the interest of the institution and the student community at large that Dr. Sankhyan should continue to be part of the teaching staff. The State of Himachal Pradesh would immediately place him under suspension. This direction is given on the basis of the material already on record and the report of the ADM,” the Bench added.

On the suicide attempt by a girl student of the College of Agricultural Engineering, Bapatla, in Andhra Pradesh allegedly after ragging, Mr. Subramaniam said the principal and other authorities were not suspended. The college initially tried to cover up the incident saying it was a suicide attempt, and booked a case against the girl. Counsel for the State, D. Ramakrishna Reddy and Bharathi Reddy, said a committee had been constituted to investigate the matter. There was no cover-up as alleged. Cases were registered against the students involved in the ragging soon after the girl’s father gave a complaint and investigation was still on, Mr. Reddy said.

The Bench directed the Chief Secretary to file an affidavit in two days “as to what action has been taken against the principal or the manager of the educational institution as the case may be in terms of Section 7 of the Andhra Pradesh Prohibition of Ragging Act 1997”.

The Bench also directed the Principal Secretary, Agriculture Department, to file an affidavit. “The Director-General of Police shall ensure that the investigation is done with the urgency involved, and the monitoring of the investigation shall be done by an officer not below the rank of Deputy Director-General of Police.” Further hearing is posted to April 2.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

New Delhi