Anti-ragging Bill introduced in Himachal Pradesh (HP) assembly

SHIMLA: If the Himachal Pradesh Educational Institutions (Prohibition of Ragging) Bill, 2009, introduced in the assembly is passed, students

caught ragging will not only be expelled and be ineligible for admission to any other institution for three years and a fine of up to Rs 50,000 or both, but may also find themselves behind bars for the "non-bailable" offence.
The Bill, introduced on Wednesday by state education minister Ishwar Dass Dhiman, makes ragging a cognisable, non-bailable and compoundable offence with the permission of the court and will be deemed to have come into force from March 25 this year. The minister also introduced the Baddi University of Emerging Sciences and Technology (Establishment and Regulation) Bill, 2009.
According to the anti-ragging Bill, whenever a complaint is made in writing, the head of the educational institution will be required to conduct an inquiry within 24 hours. Every single incident of ragging where the victim or his guardian or head of the institution is not satisfied with institutional arrangements for action, an FIR shall be lodged without exception. Failure to do so would be construed as culpable negligence on the part of the institution, and the convicted person could be liable for punishment with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or a fine up to Rs 10,000 or both.
Amann Kachroo, 19, had died on March 8, a few hours after being allegedly ragged by four final-year students of the Tanda medical college. Four students ^ Ajay Verma, Naveen Verma, Abhinav Verma and Mukul Sharma ^ accused of assaulting Kachru were arrested soon after his death. A fast-track court in Dharamsala framed murder charges against the four accused on Tuesday and fixed October 20 to 23 for recording of evidences.
5th state with anti-ragging law
Himachal Pradesh is the fifth state in the country to have laws against ragging. The other four are Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Kerala and West Bengal