Vijayawada: Fifteen students, including the son of the dean (academics) of AIIMS Mangalagiri, were suspended following allegations of ragging a first year MBBS student. The AIIMS management suspended the students on June 24 after the victim formally lodged a complaint via email on June 23. The incident, however, came to light on Tuesday.According to AIIMS sources, the suspended students allegedly ragged a junior student at the main UG hostel building on the college premises on June 22. The accused belonged to different academic groups, including some PG students. “After the incident, the victim inflicted a minor cut on his hand. He was admitted to the college hospital on June 23 and discharged within an hour after receiving treatment,” said M Neha from the AIIMS media cell and protocol division.She added that upon receiving a complaint from the victim, the college management informed local police. The dean (academics) and college anti-ragging committee chairman Dr Srimanta Kumar Dash stepped down as the anti-ragging committee head to “ensure a fair and transparent probe into the alleged ragging episode,” Neha said, adding that Dr Dash was replaced by an assistant professor as the anti-ragging committee chairman. The committee consists of representatives from students and parents’ council, along with a local police representative, who are currently probing the incident.“Strict action will be taken against the students if they are found guilty in the probe report,” the AIIMS official said, adding that the anti-ragging committee is expected to submit their probe report on Wednesday.
