Brutal belt assault on junior reignites ragging fears at Doon Medical College
A first-year MBBS student at Doon Medical College has reported a harrowing assault and intimidation by seniors, prompting an urgent inquiry.
New Delhi: The halls of the prestigious Doon Medical College are echoing with familiar fears after a first-year MBBS student came forward with a harrowing account of assault and intimidation at the hands of his seniors.
The incident, which reportedly took place on January 12, has left the newcomer "shaken and terrified," prompting an urgent investigation into the institution's campus culture.
A night of terror
According to a written complaint submitted to the hostel warden on January 13, the freshman was forcibly taken off-campus by two seniors belonging to the 2023 and 2024 batches. The student alleges that the seniors subjected him to a violent thrashing with a belt.
The nightmare didn't end outside the gates; the complainant stated that the accused later accosted him again inside the college hostel, leaving him in a state of constant fear. "I am scared of retribution, and this has left me shaken," the student wrote in his formal letter for help.
The administration responds
College Principal Dr Geeta Jain confirmed to The Times of India that the administration has launched a formal inquiry into the matter. While the college is currently determining if the violence was a result of a personal dispute or a structured act of "ragging," Dr Jain emphasised a stern stance.
"Our anti-ragging committee is probing the complaint, and we will know more once the inquiry is completed," Dr Jain told TOI. "We expect the findings by next week. There is zero tolerance when it comes to ragging."
The college has already recorded statements from the involved parties and has officially notified the victim's family.
A recurring nightmare
This is not an isolated incident for Doon Medical College, which has struggled to shake off a reputation for campus harassment. The history of disciplinary action at the school is long.
There have been several incidents in the past when juniors in the prestigious institute faced ragging at the hands of the seniors in the past. In September 2023, an intern and seven seniors were suspended following the physical assault of a junior. In November 2019, six students faced suspension after a formal complaint of harassment was lodged.