Kottayam case: Nursing council's strange decision that sheltered ragging culprits

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It was the strange decision from the nursing council two years back that gave license for the accused to unleash brutal torture in the name of ragging in Kottayam Nursing College. Two years ago, a ragging complaint was overturned and the culprits were protected. Three students expelled by the principal were reinstated following the report of the council members.

Even two years back, it was Kerala Government Students Nurses Association (KGSNA) workers who were at the dock accused of brutal ragging. After the council’s decision, the students felt that no matter what they did, the union would come to their rescue.

Dr. Sulekha AT, the then registrar of the council, is now the principal of Kottayam Nursing College. On June 22, 2022, during the Convocation Ceremony of the College, the general nursing students brutally harmed and tortured the B.Sc Nursing students. Three general nursing students were suspended by the principal for 15 days. Following this, the students filed a complaint with the KGSNA Nursing Council.

Members Ushadevi. P and CB Mukesh were assigned to listen to the principal and the students in person at the council meeting. However, members Beena B and Sushila S reached the college and took the statements breaching the norms. They gave a favourable report to the culprits. Following the report, the three students formerly expelled from the college and the hostel were admitted back.

• The council members denounced the principal’s report and claimed the accused was innocent.

• It was observed that withholding benefits and expulsion from the hostel was wrongful.

The council also instructed the principal to not go with retaliatory actions against the accused students.