Ragging and Violence
Prohibition of Ragging and Other
Forms of Violence in Educational
Institutions Act No. 20 of 1998
has been ratified by Parliament.
The broad meaning of this act
assumes to totally abolish
ragging and other forms of
violence such as insults and
cruel acts.
This law makes ragging a distinct
and punishable offence. Any act
which causes or is likely to cause
physical or psychological injury,
fear or mental pain in an
undergraduate or a member of
staff is called ragging.
Whilst this act has defined
‘undergraduate’ institutions, it
also includes all universities
under the 1978 Universities Act.
Punishments described under this act
include:
. After the individual is found
guilty, the punishment for
ragging within or outside of the
university premises is two years'
rigorous imprisonment.
. In addition, the court can award
compensation to the victim.
. Where ragging leads to sexual
harassment or grievous hurt, the
punishment is increased to ten
years' imprisonment and an
award of compensation. The
latter offence is generally non-
bailable.
. The punishment for anyone who
acts with the intention threatens
to cause injury to the person,
reputation or property of any
student or threatens to cause
injury to a person known to the
student is rigorous imprisonment
for no more than five years.
. Acts of criminal intimidation,
wrongful restraint and unlawful
confinement committed by any
person against any student carry
a maximum imprisonment period
of seven years.
. Anyone forcefully confining an
individual would face the same
punishment.
. If any person forcibly occupies
any premises of an educational
institution, that person is guilty
of an offence. Such person could
be imprisoned for no less than
ten years and no more than
twenty years of imprisonment. In
accordance with the Act, a fine
can also be imposed.
. In addition, the court can,
depending on the gravity of the
offence, order the expulsion of a
student from an educational
institution if that person is found
guilty of any of the offences
contained in the Act.
. If anyone is charged or is under
suspicion of sexual harassment
or grievous injuries due to
ragging as stated in Section 2(2)
or, if it leads to confinement or
restraint of another’s freedom of
movement, as noted in Section 4,
this is a non-bailable offence.
. Other than the punishment codes
within this act, those of 1994 No.
22 on harassment, extreme and
torture or insults add to this.
It is clear from the above acts
that students found guilty of
ragging and other forms of
violations face harsh punishment
under the law. Even bail is often
set within specific limits. The
sole intention is to rid ragging
from the university system.
Other than the above mentioned
laws, it is possible to punish
those who rag or violate
another’s rights using certain
laws that exist within the higher
education system.
If any incidents of ragging take
place, contact
. Officials within the educational
institute
. The nearest Police Station. This
will assist the Police to take
action under Act No. 20 of 1998.