Dumbbells hung on private parts, needles driven between fingernails; brutal ragging in college hostel in Kottayam

KOTTAYAM: Five people who allegedly ragged first-year students of Gandhinagar School of Medical Education (SME) have been taken into police custody. The incident took place in the boys' hostel of the college. The police have taken the third-year students into custody.

Six students, natives of Thiruvananthapuram, have been subjected to ragging since November 4, when they started their studies. According to the complaint, needles were driven in between their fingernails, they were injured using a compass, and dumbbells were hung on their private parts.

The seniors forced the students to not reveal the torture, gave them alcohol, and threatened them by recording a video. They demanded money from one of the students who had been tortured. When he did not give them, they beat him up. When the students could not bear it anymore, they informed their parents. On their instructions, the students filed a complaint with the police. The police have started an investigation based on the complaint. A case has been registered against five senior students. Action has been taken against Samuel, Jeeva, Rahulraj, Rijiljith and Vivek. All five have been suspended.