Behind the scenes: IFHE authorities explain events preceding Student Clash case

Hyderabad: Twelve students of IFHE (Business and Law Schools) were suspended on 10 November on disciplinary grounds for beating and harassing a first-year student of the Law School, Himank Bansal.

According to Shamshabad DCP R. Jagdeesh Reddy, the group of friends first started teasing a girl which led to fights.

In a conversation with the institution authorities, NewsMeter deconstructs the incident to find out the events preceding the social media rage.

The incident in Institution hostel

1 November: At around 3:30 p.m, 15-20 boys gathered in hostel room of Law College of IFHE in Donthanapally and physically harassed a boy named Himank Bansal. The boys pushed and mishandled him by punching him on the face, slapping him, kicking him on his abdominal area, touching his genitals, and forcing him to eat chemicals and powders.

According to Himank's complaint, the boys harassed him because he had texted to a girl some blasphemous remarks. These private conversations became public on social media and went viral.

3 November: Himank Bansal sent an email to IFHE, University Grants Commission, and the Telangana government about the ragging incident. He also said he regrets making the blasphemous comment.

9 November: Himank withdrew the email complaint to the College, UGC, and the state government saying he complained in haste and it was an interpersonal fight. He also mentioned that it was not a case of ragging.

Meanwhile, College authorities formed an interdisciplinary committee to investigate the incident and interrogated all 12 students.

10 November: Accordingly, the college sent suspension letters to all 12 students, expelling them from the academic session 2022-23. The statement released to the media by the institution authorities reads "The Institution has acted with alacrity and has taken a decision to suspend all the 12 concerned students with immediate effect. The Institution has Zero Tolerance towards such undesirable acts". This includes Himank and the girl along with others who beat him up.

11 November: Himank filed a complaint to the police. Social media was flooded with the video and letter of complaint filed by Himank Bansal to the police.

The College said, they were surprised to see Himank's complaint to the police on social media as action had already been taken by them. They also said the girl never complained about the interpersonal conflict between her and Himank.

Following the police complaint, investigations are now being carried out and eight students have been arrested. A case has been registered under section 41A of the India Penal Code (IPC)against nine college management staff.

With the police case, the students will now be subjected to punishment as per the law.

The College authorities said the incident has no communal connection and is the result of an interpersonal conversation between the boy and the girl. They added that it is social media that has given the incident a communal spin leading to speculations.

Measures being taken by the Institution.

The authorities said that floor-wise security in hostels and counselling sessions will be ramped up for students on the campus. They said that these measures will be taken to deal with interpersonal issues that students might face from time to time.

This article was jointly written by Kaniza Garari and Nimisha S Pradeep