Tamil Nadu: Student stripped, ragged in Madurai govt hostel, warden suspended

MADURAI: In yet another horrendous incident of ragging, a 15-year-old student of ITI (Industrial Training Institute) was stripped and assaulted by three other boys in the age group of 15- 17 at the Government Kallar hostel at Chekkanoorani near Usilampatti in Madurai district on September 18.

According to sources, the inhuman act occurred in a room of the hostel around 11 pm on September 18. The entire torture was videographed using a cellular phone by a fellow student, who posted it on social media.

The video was also shared with the father of the victim.

In the shocking video, the trio stripped the boy, assaulted him physically and also verbally tortured the victim, sources said on Tuesday.

After the clip of the victim’s plight went viral, officials quickly swung into action, reached the hostel and conducted a detailed inquiry.

During investigations, it was learnt that the victim was a resident of Kadamalaikundu in Theni district. The students, who tortured him, belong to Achampathu and Kalligudi in Madurai and Kottur in neighbouring Theni district.

During a special drive, the victim, who was a school dropout, secured admission to the Government ITI on August 25. Subsequently, the dropout also managed to get admission in the hostel on September 11.

Based on a complaint lodged by the victim’s father, Chekkanurani police registered a case under various sections of the Prohibition of Ragging Act against the three students, who indulged in the brutal act.

The hostel warden claimed that he came to know about the incident only on Monday morning. In a swift follow-up action, district officials placed warden Balamurugan under suspension on disciplinary grounds, sources said.

The hostel totally has 70 students, who come from Madurai and several nearby districts, on the rolls, sources added.