Four students to resume studies after completing prison term

Authorities in Himachal Pradesh has said, four medical students given a four-year prison term in the Aman Kachroo ragging case can resume their studies as they have completed their sentence.

The state government has permitted them to complete their MBBS courses and details for admission would now be worked out by Himachal Pradesh University and Medical Council of India, official sources confirmed.

The government's move comes after the opinion from the Law department, which said the students had the right to pursue their education after undergoing sentence.

Aman Kachroo (19), a first year MBBS student had died at Dr Rajendra Prasad Medical College, Tanda in Kangra district after he was subjected to ragging by four seniors on March 7, 2009.

Four seniors Abhinav Verma, Mukul Sharma, Navin Verma and Ajay Verma, arrested after a case of murder was registered against them, were convicted on November 11, 2010, under sections 304 II (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 452 (house-trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint), 34 (common intent) and 342 (wrongful confinement) of the IPC by the trial court and their sentence was also upheld by the High Court.

They were released last year from the jail, after getting nine months remission in sentence due to good conduct and had represented to the state government to allow them to complete their MBBS course.

When contacted Principal Secretary (Health) Ali Raza Rizvi confirmed that the students had represented to the government seeking permission to complete the MBBS course in the college.

The case was initially rejected but later they made a fresh representation, which was examined by the law department that decided in their favour, he said.

Himachal Pradesh Health minister Kaul Singh Thakur was quoted as saying that the students, as per legal opinion, could be allowed to complete their MBBS course but some conditions could be imposed on debarring them from seeking government jobs on completion of the course.

"I think, the government will check with the college about attendance records of the students and inform the university. The things are still under process" said Rizvi.

However, when father of one of the boys was contacted, said, "I am not aware of any such development regarding readmission" and said that they have undergone the sentence and have a right to continue studies.

PTI