SC orders UGC to strictly implement existing guidelines to prevent ragging in universities

The Supreme Court today (09) ordered the University Grants Commission (UGC) to strictly implement the set of guidelines that have already been formulated to prevent ragging at universities across the country.

The Supreme Court bench also ordered the Minister of Education and Higher Education to take steps to provide necessary financial and technical support as well as facilities to implement the guidelines.

The order was issued by a three-member bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justices Shiran Gunaratne, Priyantha Fernando, and Sobitha Rajakaruna, while delivering the verdict on a fundamental rights petition filed by Pasindu Hirushan de Silva, a first-year university student who continues to suffer both physically and mentally due to injuries sustained due to ragging in the year 2020.

The three-member bench also ordered that the case be recalled on January 14 to review the progress of how the directives are being enforced.

The relevant guidelines are as follows;

a) Operate a 24/7 emergency hotline/call center for victims and witnesses of ragging to make complaints/report incidents;

b) Receive complaints/reports of incidents of ragging which are made directly to the Committee or any member thereof;

c) Providing for effective surveillance of public spaces within the University and hostel premises, by installing CCTV cameras in entrance and exit points, canteens, sports grounds, gymnasiums, corridors and pathways, as well as adequate illumination (preferably sensor lighting) in such areas, ensuring proper maintenance of the CCTV camera and illumination systems so that they are in good working condition at all times, and ensuring that CCTV recordings of incidents of ragging are saved and preserved in order to facilitate inquiries;