Shocking Ragging Case at Bhubaneswar Private Institute Sparks Outrage

Pipili/Bhubaneswar: A horrifying case of ragging and physical abuse at a private management institute on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar has sparked widespread outrage, raising serious concerns over student safety and the effectiveness of anti-ragging measures in Odisha.

The victim, a second-year management student from Aul in Kendrapara district, has alleged that a classmate and a senior brutally tortured him after he refused to consume drugs. According to the complaint filed by his mother at Pipili Police Station, the attackers forced him to drink water from a toilet and lick the toilet floor, leaving the community shocked at the severity of the abuse.

The incident reportedly took place on November 24 within the institute’s premises. The student claims he was called to the second floor by his classmates, taken into a toilet, and physically assaulted. The attackers allegedly punched him repeatedly on his face, chest, neck, stomach, and knees, pushed his face into a toilet pan, and attempted to strip him before a housekeeping worker’s sudden arrival interrupted the assault.

The torture allegedly continued for nearly two hours, with the student being moved between two toilets and subjected to repeated humiliation. Later, he was lured to a house outside the campus under the pretext of offering a meal, where he was reportedly pressured to consume drugs and threatened with extortion, with the group allegedly demanding ₹2 lakh. He was confined for two to three hours before being released.

The victim reportedly stayed away from college on November 25 due to fever. Upon returning the next day, he was allegedly confronted again by the accused, who threatened him, demanded money, and warned he would not be able to attend classes or live peacefully at home. Fearing for his safety, he has not returned to the institute since November 26.

Pipili Police have registered a case based on the complaint and initiated an investigation. The incident has reignited concerns over violent ragging practices, highlighting the challenges in enforcing anti-ragging regulations in private educational institutions.