Ragging isn't a 'tradition'—it's a criminal offence. Learn how to use the BNS and UGC rules to file an FIR and hold your seniors or college accountable.
You just cleared the entrance of your dreams. You're in the hostel, and a group of seniors knocks on your door at 11 PM. They call it an "intro session." It starts with awkward dancing, then moves to verbal abuse, and suddenly you're being asked to do something that makes you feel unsafe or humiliated. When you tell the warden, they shrug and say, "It happened to us too; it builds character."
Let’s get one thing straight: ragging is not a rite of passage. If it involves physical pain, mental trauma, or any form of sexual or financial abuse, it is a crime. You don't have to "tough it out." You have the law, the University Grants Commission (UGC), and the police on your side. Here is how you fight back.
In India, ragging is governed by a mix of Supreme Court mandates, UGC regulations, and the criminal code.
The "UGC Regulations on Curbing the Menace of Ragging in Higher Educational Institutions, 2009" are the gold standard. Under these rules, ragging includes any act by a senior student that causes or is likely to cause physical or psychological harm, or raises fear or apprehension in a fresher.
Crucially, the college is legally bound to act. If a college fails to prevent ragging or fails to report it to the police, the UGC can cut their funding or even disaffiliate them. Every college must have an Anti-Ragging Committee and an Anti-Ragging Squad.
Since July 2024, the BNS has replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC). If you are filing an FIR today, you cite BNS sections. Ragging usually falls under several categories:
This is the new procedural law (replacing CrPC). Section 173 of the BNSS is your most important tool. It mandates that a police officer must register an FIR if the information discloses a cognizable offence (serious crimes like physical hurt or sexual assault). It also formalises the Zero FIR, meaning you can report the crime at any police station, even if the college is outside their jurisdiction. They must register it and transfer it later.
In Vishwa Jagriti Mission vs. Central Government (2001) and University of Kerala vs. Council, Principals, Colleges, Kerala (2009), the Supreme Court made it clear that the burden of proof is on the institution. If they don't act, they are liable for contempt.
Your priority is getting out of the situation. Once you are safe:
This is your fastest way to put pressure on the college administration.
Submit a written complaint to the Chairperson of the Anti-Ragging Committee at your college.
If the ragging involved physical violence, sexual assault, or serious threats, do not wait for the college inquiry. Go to the police.
If the Station House Officer (SHO) refuses to register the FIR:
Once the FIR is filed, the police have a duty to investigate. Under the BNSS, you have the right to be informed about the progress of the investigation.
Even with the law on your side, the system often tries to take the path of least resistance. Here is where things usually stall and how you can push through:
1. The "Internal Matter" Trap The Warden or Head of Department (HOD) might call you into their office and say, "Don't ruin their careers; it’s just a student prank." They might promise to "warn" the seniors if you don't file a formal complaint.
2. Police Refusal (The "Go Back to College" Brush-off) The Station House Officer (SHO) might tell you that this is a "college issue" and they won't register an FIR unless the Principal signs off.
3. The Witness "Amnesia" Friends who saw the incident might back out because they are scared of the seniors.
4. Retaliation Threats Seniors might threaten to make your life "hell" for the next four years or the college might threaten your internal marks.
Copy, fill in the [highlighted] bits, and send.
"Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I am a student at [College Name, City]. I am calling to report a ragging incident that took place on [Date] at [Time/Location]. I have been subjected to [briefly describe: physical hurt/mental humiliation/threats]. I have already informed the Warden, but no action has been taken. I want to register a formal complaint and I want to remain anonymous in the initial inquiry if possible. Please provide me with a complaint reference number."
To: The Chairperson, Anti-Ragging Committee, [College Name] Subject: Formal Complaint regarding Ragging incident on [Date]
Respected Sir/Madam,
I, [Your Name], a first-year student of [Department], wish to report a gross violation of the UGC Regulations on Curbing the Menace of Ragging, 2009.
On [Date] at approximately [Time], the following seniors [Names, if known, or descriptions] subjected me to [Detail the incident: what was said, what was done]. This incident occurred at [Location: e.g., Hostel Room No. X].
This act constitutes a cognizable offence under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, specifically [mention sections like Section 126 for restraint or 115 for hurt].
I request you to:
Attached: [Mention any screenshots/medical reports].
Sincerely, [Your Name/Signature] [Phone Number]
To: The Station House Officer, [Police Station Name] Subject: Complaint for registration of FIR under BNS for Ragging.
Sir, I am reporting an incident of ragging that occurred on [Date] at [Location]. I was [describe the crime: e.g., "physically assaulted and prevented from leaving the room"] by [Accused Names/Roll Numbers].
These actions fall under:
I request you to register an FIR under Section 173 of the BNSS and initiate an investigation.
[Your Signature]
Yes. When you call the UGC Helpline or use the web portal (antiragging.in), you can request that your identity not be revealed to the college or the accused seniors during the initial investigation. However, if the case goes to a criminal court via an FIR, your testimony as the victim will eventually be required.
The UGC Regulations 2009 and the BNS apply regardless of the location. If the perpetrator and the victim are students of the same institution, the college is legally responsible for taking action, even if the incident happened in a private apartment, a bus, or online.
No. Filing a police FIR and registering a complaint with the UGC or the college Anti-Ragging Committee is absolutely free. If any police officer asks for money to "process" the FIR, that is a bribe and is illegal.
Absolutely not. In fact, if the college takes any adverse action against you for reporting ragging, they are in violation of Supreme Court mandates. You can report such victimization directly to the UGC and the State Education Department, which can lead to the college losing its funding.
Under UGC guidelines, the Anti-Ragging Committee should ideally complete its inquiry and decide on the punishment within 7 days of the complaint. If they are dragging their feet, it is time to escalate to the UGC and the local Police.
Depending on the severity, the college can suspend them, expel them, or cancel their results. Legally, under the BNS, they can face imprisonment ranging from 1 year to 7 years (especially in cases of grievous hurt or sexual assault) and a fine which can extend to ₹10,000 or more.
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Ragging isn't a rite of passage; it's a crime. Learn how to use the UGC portal and 24/7 helpline to report harassment and hold your college accountable.