Draft anti-ragging legislation to be finalised in 45 days, govt. tells Kerala HC

The State government has informed the Kerala High Court that the draft of the legislation meant to end ragging in educational institutions and hostels will be finalised in 45 days.

A draft Bill in this regard has been forwarded by the Law department to the General Administration department. In addition, the file concerned has been sent to the Chief Minister. The State Cabinet would take a call on the draft legislation and it will be placed before the Legislative Assembly. The matter has been posted for hearing on January 6.

The High Court had on October 30 directed the State government to complete within four weeks all steps for tabling the Kerala Prohibition of Ragging (Amendment) Bill, 2025, before the Assembly.

Student’s death

This was after a public interest litigation (PIL) was filed by the Kerala Legal Services Authority (KeLSA), seeking stronger laws to combat ragging in the wake of a spree of ragging-related incidents in the State, including one in which a student died.

The draft of the Bill had proposed anti-ragging committees, squads and mentoring cells in all educational institutions, and also anti-ragging cells in all police stations.