Brutal Hostel Ragging at Allahabad University and Prolonged Delay in Justice: An NHRC Case Analysis
(Diary No. 28171/CR/2022 | Case No. 7785/24/4/2022)
By Lenin Raghuvanshi
(Human Rights Defender)
Ragging in educational institutions is not merely an issue of indiscipline—it is a serious human rights violation that threatens life, dignity, and the right to education. The case of brutal ragging at Allahabad University’s Shatabdi Boys Hostel in February 2022 starkly illustrates how institutional violence, when coupled with investigative delay, results in prolonged injustice for victims.
This blog analyses the case as recorded and monitored by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) over nearly three years, highlighting systemic failures and accountability gaps.
Case Identification
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NHRC Diary No.: 28171/CR/2022
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NHRC Case/File No.: 7785/24/4/2022
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Incident Category: Ragging
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Victim: Male student (identity protected)
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Incident Date: 14 February 2022
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Incident Place: Shatabdi Boys Hostel, Allahabad University, Prayagraj
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Complainant: Lenin Raghuvanshi
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Mode of Complaint: Email (24 February 2022)
Incident as Reported in Media
According to multiple reports published in Amar Ujala (16–17 February 2022):
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The victim student was forcibly disrobed
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His hands were tied, and a belt was fastened around his neck
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He was brutally beaten, dragged out of the hostel room, and threatened
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Outsiders allegedly participated along with senior hostel residents
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The victim suffered severe physical and psychological trauma
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Due to fear and insecurity, the victim later left the hostel
The incident led to public outrage and registration of a criminal case.
Criminal Case Status
Based on police submissions to NHRC:
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FIR No.: 74/2022
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Police Station: Karnalganj, Prayagraj
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Sections Invoked:
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IPC Sections: 147, 148, 149, 323, 504, 506, 452
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Initially included Sections 384 & 394 IPC (later dropped)
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Section 5 of the Anti-Ragging Act
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The FIR named four accused persons and several unknown individuals.
NHRC’s Intervention and Repeated Directions
Initial Cognizance
NHRC took cognizance of the matter in March 2022, recognizing the seriousness of the allegations involving:
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Brutal physical assault
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Forced stripping
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Involvement of outsiders
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Failure to ensure campus safety
Pattern of Repeated “Additional Information Called For”
From February 2023 to January 2025, NHRC issued at least 16 directions calling for:
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Status of investigation
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Arrest of accused
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Steps under Sections 82–83 CrPC (proclamation and attachment)
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Clarification on delays
Despite this, reports submitted by the police repeated earlier statements, without substantive progress.
NHRC’s Observations (Key)
In its proceedings dated 05 October 2023, NHRC explicitly noted:
“The approach of police seems to be lackadaisical in nature. Already more than 18 months have elapsed.”
Again, in January 2025, the Commission recorded that:
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No new facts were presented
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Investigation remained inconclusive
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Accused persons were not effectively identified or arrested
Investigation Issues Highlighted
1. Dropping of Charges Without Transparency
Sections 384 and 394 IPC (extortion and robbery) were dropped during investigation, raising questions about:
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Evidence evaluation
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Victim protection during investigation
2. Frequent Change of Investigating Officers
The case changed hands multiple times:
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SI Harshveer Singh
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SI Vinay Singh
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SI Abhishek Kumar Singh
Such frequent transfers often weaken continuity and accountability.
3. Failure to Use Coercive Legal Measures
Despite NHRC’s specific queries:
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Police failed to clearly demonstrate use of Sections 82–83 CrPC
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No effective strategy to trace or arrest absconding accused was shown
4. Impact on the Victim
Media reports and NHRC records indicate:
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The victim was forced to leave the hostel
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He suffered fear, insecurity, and disruption of education
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This reflects secondary victimization due to institutional failure
Human Rights Analysis
Violation of Article 21
The incident violates the victim’s right to life and dignity, which includes:
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Bodily integrity
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Mental well-being
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Safe educational environment
Failure of Duty of Care
Universities and hostels have a positive obligation to:
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Prevent ragging
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Act immediately upon complaints
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Ensure protection of victims
Delay as Denial of Justice
Prolonged investigation—spanning nearly three years—undermines:
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Deterrence against ragging
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Confidence in the justice system
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Faith in anti-ragging frameworks
NHRC’s Latest Direction (31 January 2025)
NHRC finally directed:
The Commissioner of Police, Prayagraj shall ensure sincere efforts to identify the accused, make arrests, complete investigation in a fair and speedy manner, and file the police report at the earliest. An additional report shall be furnished within four weeks.
This direction reflects NHRC’s continued dissatisfaction with police performance.
Conclusion
This case demonstrates that:
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Ragging is not an isolated student issue but a serious crime
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Institutional apathy and investigative delay compound the original violence
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Monitoring without enforcement risks normalizing impunity
The NHRC’s persistence is notable, but effective accountability depends on executive compliance, not repeated reminders.
Final Reflection
This case must serve as a warning that anti-ragging laws are only as strong as their implementation—and that human dignity cannot be subjected to bureaucratic inertia.
From: <nhrc.india@nic.in>
Date: Thu, Oct 5, 2023 at 1:25 PM
Subject: Additional Information Called for - 7785/24/4/2022
To: <cp-pol.ah@up.gov.in>, <PVCHR.ADV@gmail.com>
| Case No.- 7785/24/4/2022 |
| NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION |
| (LAW DIVISION) |
| * * * |
| MANAV ADHIKAR BHAWAN, BLOCK-C, |
| G.P.O. COMPLEX, INA, NEW DELHI- 110023 |
| Fax No.: 011-24651332 Website: www.nhrc.nic.in |
| Date : 05/10/2023 |
| To, |
| THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE Police Commissionerate Prayagraj PRAYAGRAJ (ALLAHABAD) UTTAR PRADESH Email- cp-pol.ah@up.gov.in |
| Sub : Complaint/Intimation from |
LENIN RAGHUVANSHI |
| Subject: Additional Information Called for -7785/24/4/2022. |
| Sir/Madam, |
| I am directed to say that the matter was considered by the Commission on 05/10/2023 and the Commission has directed as follows.: |
| The instant complaint, based on media reports, has highlighted an incident of raging of one hostel student of Allahabad University, on 14.02.2022, by his seniors, who forcefully disrobed the victim and brutally assaulted him with help of some outsiders. Vide proceedings dated 24.07.2023 additional/status report was called form Commissioner of Police, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh observing as under:- “…Pursuant to same report dated 25.05.2023 received from Commissioner of Police, Prayagraj. As per associated report investigation is still continuing. It is stated in the report that efforts are made for arrest of accused persons. The incident is of 16.02.2022. The Commissioner of Police, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh is directed to clarify as to what efforts have been made. Whether steps for proceeding U/s 82 and 83 of Cr.P.C. have been taken or not. The requisite status report be filed within four weeks.” Pursuant to same report dated 29.08.2023 received. It is reiterated that the reinvestigation is continuing. It is further submitted that location of accused Gyanesh Singh was not found at the spot and therefore his involvement has been found to be false, and efforts for arrest of other accused persons are made. It is pertinent to clarify here that the concerned authority has failed to clarify whether the steps qua proceeding U/s 82 and 83 of Cr.P.C. have been taken or not. The report is not satisfactory in this regard. The approach of police seems to be lackadaisical in nature. Already more than 18 months have been elapsed. In view of same let fresh status report be called from Commissioner of Police, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh in terms of above referred directions, within four weeks failing which this Commission will be constrained to invoke its coercive powers u/s 13 of PHR Act. 1993. |
| 2. It is therefore, requested that the additional/complete report as directed by the Commission in the matter be sent latest by 12/11/2023, for futher consideration by the Commission. |
| 3. Any communication by public authorities in this matter may please be sent to the Commission through the HRCNet Portal (https://hrcnet.nic.in) by using id and password already provided to the public authorities (click Authority Login). Any Audio/ Video CDs/ pen drives etc. may be sent through Speed Post/ per bearer. The reports/ responses sent through email may not be entertained |
Your’s faithfully |
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