Kerala nursing student ragging: Two seniors booked for attempt to murder

Kozhikode: The Medical College police has slapped cases against two Malayali nursing students who allegedly ragged Malappuram native K.P. Aswathi, 19, at Al Qamar College of Nursing, Kalaburagi, in Karnataka. According to the police, sections of attempt to murder, SC/ST atrocities Act and ragging Act were registered against third-year nursing students, Lakshmi and Aathira.

“The case details have been sent to Kalaburagi station which would re-register it there,” said Inspector E. Jaleel.

Aswathi was admitted to Medical College Hospital here on June 2 with her internal organs seriously damaged. According to Aswathi, she was forced to drink bathroom cleaner by the seniors. MCH additional superintendent Dr K.C. Soman said that the acid content of the lotion had made the two parts of oesophagus inseparable and an endoscopic surgery was needed. “At present, her body is not fit for surgery. She is being tube-fed,” he said.

Meanwhile, State Human Rights Commission member P. Mohana Das visited Aswathi on Wednesday. He said that action would be taken to expedite the probe. “The SHRC will contact our Karnataka counterpart for booking the culprits,” he said. But the college authorities denied the reports of ragging and said that Aswathi had attempted suicide on May 9. Aswathi and her relatives have rejected their claim.

KPCC president V.M. Sudheeran sent a fax message to the Karnataka Chief Minister and Home Minister demanding an impartial probe. BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan has sought steps to continue her nursing education in Kerala.