Gujarat first year medical student dies after ragging incident; investigation underway

A first-year student at a medical college in Gujarat died after allegedly being forced to stand for three hours as part of a ragging practice by seniors. Several first-year students, including Anil Methania, had enrolled at the Gujarat Medical Education & Research Society (GMERS) Medical College and Hospital in Dharpur Patan this year.

They were reportedly made to stand for three hours as part of an "introduction" by third-year students in the dormitory. On residential campuses, the term "introduction" or "intro" is sometimes used to describe ragging activities where seniors harass newcomers.

Anil is said to have collapsed and lost consciousness after standing for three hours. He was admitted to the hospital and later told the police that he had been forced to stand for the extended period. Unfortunately, he passed away shortly afterward.

The body has been sent for autopsy, and the results are expected to shed more light on the cause of death.

Anil's cousin, Dharmendra, who lives in Gujarat's Surendranagar district—over 150 kilometers from Patan—said, "We received a call from the college yesterday informing us that Anil had collapsed and was hospitalized. When we arrived, we learned that third-year students had ragged him. We want justice."

Hardik Shah, the dean of GMERS Medical College, confirmed that as soon as the college learned of Anil's collapse, he was hospitalized.

"He told the police that he was ragged and forced to stand for three hours. We have informed both the police and the family, and we will take strict action," Shah said.

According to senior police officer KK Pandya, Anil's father filed a complaint, and an accidental death case has been registered.

"The autopsy has been conducted, and the medical report has been requested. Based on the findings, we will take further action. We have also asked the college for detailed information regarding the ragging incident," Pandya said.

The police have filed a case against 15 medical college students.

The accused, who were all second-year MBBS students, allegedly forced some juniors, including the victim, to stand in a dormitory room for more than three hours on the night of Nov 16 and subjected them to "mental and physical torture," according to the First Information Report (FIR).

According to the FIR, they have been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, among other offenses.

Officials at GMERS Medical College have suspended the accused students from their hostels and academic activities till further notice.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has banned ragging in all forms on educational campuses, and institutions have been instructed to take strong action against individuals found guilty of ragging or abetting ragging.