Inter first-year student assaulted in hostel ragging; Dachepalli BC officer suspended

Vijayawada: After a video showing a first-year intermediate student being assaulted by a group of students went viral, the Palnadu district collector ordered the suspension of the Dachepalli BC hostel welfare officer.

The incident occurred on the night of August 7, when the student was attacked by his seniors, with the entire act recorded by the perpetrators. Portions of the video widely circulated on social media, triggering renewed police action.

Victim was given electric shocks

The group allegedly kicked the student repeatedly and continued the assault despite his pleas to stop. The attackers even tried to give him an electric shock using a live wire.

The student reported the matter to hostel warden M Deepika, who informed the police. Officers visited the hostel, conducted an initial inquiry and expelled the students involved in ragging from the hostel.

Lokesh orders probe

On Monday, reacting to the incident, Minister Nara Lokesh called for a thorough probe.

“A comprehensive investigation is in progress. Such heinous acts have no place in a civilised society. I have ordered swift and exemplary legal action to ensure they are not repeated,” he said.

It may be recalled that in August 2024, a similar incident reporter when a bachelor of dental surgery (BDS) student allegedly died by suicide following ragging and sexual harassment at a private dental college in Nellore. In July 2024, a video of ragging at the same college surfaced, igniting political debate between two major parties in the State.