Agartala: A complaint filed by a Delhi-based NGO, Society Against Violence and Education (SAVE), against top officials of Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) and the Tripura administration has been dismissed by the concerned Commission after a thorough inquiry.
The complaint had alleged inaction on a serious ragging incident involving first-year MBBS students of AGMC.
The complaint, filed on 31 December 2024 by Rupesh Kar Jha on behalf of SAVE, accused AGMC Principal Dr. Anup Kumar Saha, the Superintendent of Police of West Tripura, the Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department, and the District Magistrate of West Tripura of failing to act on a reported case of ragging. The NGO cited a distress message received from a female MBBS student alleging physical and mental abuse by senior students in the girls’ hostel and warned of suicidal thoughts if immediate help was not provided.
The complaint highlighted the failure of the AGMC Principal to file an FIR within 24 hours as mandated by Clause 22.2 of the National Medical Commission Anti-Ragging Regulations, 2021 and provisions of the Tripura Educational Institution (Prevention of Ragging) Act, 1990. It also cited repeated reports of ragging from AGMC in recent years, including media coverage, and sought the intervention of the Commission to direct legal action.
Following the complaint, the Commission sought written responses from the AGMC Principal, the SP, the Secretary of Health, and the DM & Collector. The DGP, Tripura, submitted a detailed report through the AIGP (Crime), enclosing an inquiry report by the SDPO, NCC Police Station. The AGMC administration also furnished a separate response.
According to the inquiry findings, first-year MBBS students were admitted to AGMC in September 2024. Upon receiving the complaint (Ref No. TR-0008), hostel authorities, faculty, and members of the anti-ragging squad conducted surprise inspections and interacted with several students. The Principal’s office conducted anti-ragging meetings on 12 and 14 November 2024, and a report was submitted to the UGC’s Anti-Ragging Helpline on 20 November.
The inquiry, which included statements from the hostel warden and ten first-year students, found no evidence of ragging. The students reportedly had not raised any complaint to the college or external authorities. No student was willing to confirm the allegations mentioned in the anonymous complaint.
Similarly, the District Magistrate and Collector of West Tripura submitted a report prepared by an inquiry team led by the Additional SDM. Their investigation also concluded that the complaint appeared baseless and lacked supporting evidence.
SAVE, in its response to the Commission, reiterated that the issue is still pending in another complaint (No. 99 of 2024) and sought a deferment of the next hearing, citing the potential mental trauma of victims. However, after examining all submitted reports and documents, the Commission found no merit in the allegations.
In its final order, the Commission observed that none of the students came forward with formal complaints and termed the allegations frivolous, false, and unjustified. Consequently, it concluded that no further inquiry was required and disposed of the matter.
All concerned parties have been duly informed of the order.
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