‘Deeply concerned by rise in student suicides’: Delhi HC, calls for ‘effective’ anti-ragging helpline

The court also said it is “hopeful” that the Supreme Court-constituted National Task Force for dealing with student suicides will look into the role of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and an NGO — Centre for Youth (C4Y) — “in conducting a dysfunctional Anti-Ragging Programme, as is evident from data which shows increased incidents in student suicides over the past few years.”

Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Anish Bansal disposed of two pleas by the Aman Satya Kachroo Trust, challenging two awards of tenders to C4Y. The court reasoned that it is not inclined to interfere “with the ongoing work at the tail end of the contract”, primarily since the tender tenure ends in December this year, being effective since 2022.

The court observed, “It is reasonably assumed by this court that the tender process will be reviewed by the agencies responsible for its monitoring, and that the conditions of engagement shall be examined, assessed, and appropriately addressed, taking assistance and guidance from the recommendations of the National Task Force.”

The Aman Satya Kachroo Trust, run by academician and its founder Rajendra Kachroo, who lost his son Aman to suicide in 2009 due to ragging, was running the National Ragging Prevention Programme from 2012 till April 2022, when the UGC issued a fresh tender, which was then awarded to C4Y.

During the course of the hearing, Dr Kachroo, appearing before the court, had called into question the efficiency of the programme at present, and had also accused UGC and C4Y of its “‘ham-handed’ and ‘lackadaisical approach’.”

The SC, while dealing with the issue of student suicides, had directed the formation of a National Task Force in March led by (retd) Justice Ravindra Bhat, former SC judge, along with nine other members, and three more ex-officio members. Dr Kachroo is a nominated member of the National Task Force.

With the court expressing its own concerns over the increasing incidents of student suicides, along with Dr Kachroo’s claims on the dysfunctionality of the programme, the bench recorded, “The court is also hopeful and optimistic that these aspects, which form part of a larger set of issues plaguing the Anti-Ragging Programme, will be considered by the National Task Force. Based on the recommendations of the National Task Force, the concerns of the petitioner in relation to the Anti-Ragging Programme… will also hopefully be addressed and, if necessary, rectified to align it with the interest of all the stakeholders.”