Bengaluru: An FIR has been registered against 22 college students and one outsider for allegedly ragging first-year students and assaulting a senior staff member at a private educational institution in the city. Police on Friday confirmed that three of the accused have been arrested, while efforts are underway to trace and apprehend the remaining suspects, who are currently absconding.

The case has brought renewed attention to the persistent issue of ragging in educational institutions, despite strict laws and repeated advisories aimed at curbing the practice. The incident was reported from Akash Group of Institutions, where tensions allegedly escalated over repeated acts of harassment by senior students.

Complaint by admissions head

The FIR was registered on January 16 based on a complaint lodged by Midhun Madhavan, head of the admissions department at the institution. In his complaint, Madhavan stated that the alleged ragging incidents first came to light on January 14, when several first-year students approached him seeking help.

According to the complaint, senior students allegedly subjected juniors to physical and mental harassment and forced them to carry out errands. These reportedly included fetching cigarettes and drinks for seniors and carrying their books, acts that are explicitly prohibited under anti-ragging regulations.

Upon receiving the complaint, Madhavan is said to have summoned the senior students and warned them against repeating such behaviour, making it clear that strict action would be taken if the incidents continued.

Ragging allegedly resumed despite warning

Police said that despite the warning, the accused seniors allegedly resumed ragging activities the very next day, on January 15. Distressed by the continued harassment, the first-year students again approached Madhavan and informed him that the seniors had not heeded the earlier warning.

Taking the complaint seriously, Madhavan, along with the affected juniors, decided to confront the seniors once more in an attempt to resolve the matter and prevent further incidents. The meeting reportedly took place near a tea shop located behind the college campus.

Assault during confrontation

According to the FIR, the situation escalated rapidly during the meeting. What began as an attempt to caution the seniors allegedly turned violent, with the accused students attacking both the juniors and Madhavan.

Police said that during the altercation, an outsider identified as Naveen, who was allegedly accompanying the senior students, played a key role in the violence. Naveen is accused of attacking the complainant and the students using rods, sticks and stones, and issuing threats.

The assault caused panic among the students present, and the incident was subsequently reported to the police. Based on the complaint and preliminary inquiry, officers registered a case and began identifying those involved.

Arrests and legal action

So far, three of the accused have been arrested in connection with the case. Police officials said raids are being conducted at multiple locations to trace the remaining accused, many of whom are students of the same institution.

The accused have been booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deal with assault, criminal intimidation and unlawful assembly, among other offences. Sections of the Karnataka Education Act have also been invoked, reflecting the seriousness of ragging-related violations within educational institutions.

An investigating officer said custodial interrogation of the arrested accused is underway to establish individual roles and determine whether the incident was premeditated. “We are also verifying whether similar complaints were made earlier and whether institutional guidelines on anti-ragging were violated,” the officer said.

Ragging remains a concern

The incident has once again highlighted the challenge of eradicating ragging from college campuses, despite legal provisions, helplines and mandatory anti-ragging committees. Educational institutions are required to take immediate action on complaints and ensure a safe environment for students, particularly freshers.

Police officials said that involving an outsider in campus-related violence is a serious matter and could attract additional charges if proven. They also urged students to report incidents of ragging at the earliest, assuring strict action against those found guilty.

Conclusion

With the investigation still in progress, authorities are focusing on arresting all the accused and gathering further evidence, including witness statements and CCTV footage, if available. Police reiterated that ragging is a punishable offence and warned that strict legal action will be taken against anyone found indulging in or abetting such acts. The case serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance by institutions, students and parents to ensure campuses remain safe and inclusive spaces for learning.