Delhi high court sounds alarm on student suicides, demands immediate overhaul of anti-ragging measures

The Delhi High Court has expressed “deep concern” over the alarming rise in student suicides across the country, highlighting the urgent need for a fully operational anti-ragging helpline as a “robust and efficient” preventive measure.

The bench, comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Anish Dayal, referenced the Supreme Court’s directives in Amit Kumar & Ors. v. Union of India, emphasising the judiciary’s ongoing focus on mental health and student safety in higher educational institutions.

Background: Trust’s petition and anti-ragging programme

The court’s intervention arose from petitions filed by the Aman Satya Kachroo Trust, which had managed the National Ragging Prevention Programme since 2012. The trust challenged the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) decision to award a new tender to the Centre for Youth Society (C4Y), seeking its cancellation and requesting the withdrawal of associated notices and advertisements.Professor Rajendra Kachroo, founder of the trust, had originally designed the National Ragging Prevention Programme in 2009. The blueprint included:

Following a Supreme Court mandate, this framework led to the UGC Regulations on Curbing the Menace of Ragging in Higher Educational Institutions, 2009, ensuring a legal and operational foundation to combat ragging.

Court’s stance and institutional oversight

While the High Court refrained from interfering in the ongoing contractual arrangements with C4Y, citing UGC’s confirmation that the work order would expire on December 31, it underscored the urgent need for “robust institutional processes” to address systemic lapses in regulatory and administrative mechanisms protecting student welfare.

The bench acknowledged concerns raised about the “ham-handed” and “lackadaisical approach” in managing the anti-ragging programme, emphasizing that these issues are part of broader challenges under active review by the National Task Force.

Moving forward: National Task Force and policy implications

The High Court expressed optimism that the National Task Force, with Professor Kachroo’s involvement, would address these challenges, strengthening anti-ragging measures and implementing proactive frameworks for student welfare. The observations signal a clarion call for higher education institutions, regulatory bodies, and civil society to collaborate urgently to prioritise student safety, mental well-being, and the eradication of ragging as a public health imperative.(With inputs from PTI)