MGM College First-year MBBS students allege assault, confinement:Claims seniors lured victims to a flat, intimidated them and forced them to drink; UGC Anti-Ragging Cell intervenes

Ragging has once again cast a dark and familiar shadow over Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (MGM) Medical College, after first-year MBBS students from the 2025 batch filed a complaint with the UGC National Anti-Ragging Cell, alleging that they were subjected to physical assault, forced smoking and drinking, verbal abuse, intimidation, and confinement by senior students of the 2024 batch. The institution, already grappling with a series of ragging controversies over the past two years, finds itself under scrutiny yet again, raising serious concerns over repeated failures to curb toxic senior–junior abuse inside hostels and residential flats. Lured by their own batchmate, assaulted According to the complaint, the Undergraduate students were allegedly summoned to a private flat, where they were slapped, verbally abused, forced to consume cigarettes and alcohol, and prevented from leaving for nearly three hours by their four seniors. The complainant also mentioned the names of the accused students in the complaint, along with the name of the batchmate. ‘We are terrified, mentally disturbed, and living in constant fear’. They further claimed that a student from their own batch acted as a messenger for the seniors, repeatedly calling them to the flat and pressuring them into complying, effectively drawing them into what they described as a ‘trap’. UGC Anti-Ragging Cell issues notice to the college Shortly after receiving the email complaint, the UGC Anti-Ragging Helpline issued a notice to MGM Medical College, directing the administration to: The advisory also reminded the institution of its responsibility to protect complainants from retaliation. A pattern of abuse: MGM’s troubling ragging history This incident is not an aberration, but part of a long and troubling pattern that has repeatedly brought the institution under public and administrative scrutiny. PG student breakdown case Recently, a postgraduate doctor from the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department accused seniors of sustained mental harassment, including threats, overwork, humiliation, and false rumours. She reportedly lost more than 20 kg, suffered a breakdown, was hospitalised at MY Hospital, and eventually returned home for treatment. The Anti-Ragging Committee launched a formal prob,e but later the victim withdrew her complaint. Physical torture allegations Earlier in the year, hostellers from another batch reported being slapped, forced to squat for hours, made to perform hundreds of push-ups, and subjected to psychological intimidation, with seniors carefully avoiding marks that could be used as evidence. 11 suspensions and arrests in 2024 In December 2024, MGM suspended 11 students after audio clips, screenshots, and chat logs revealed organized ragging. Several were later arrested under IPC sections following a two-month police investigation. UG complaints previously downplayed Multiple junior batches earlier reported verbal abuse, intimidation, forced tasks, and humiliation by seniors. Several complaints were made anonymously to avoid retaliation, with victims alleging their postings and class environment were affected after resisting ragging. Collectively, these incidents point to deep-rooted cultural rot within the institution, one that committees, warnings, helpline notices, and disciplinary actions have been unable to dismantle. Freshers say they fear for their safety The new complainants said they are unable to attend classes without anxiety and fear that seniors may retaliate now that the matter has escalated. “We request protection and strict action,” They wrote, urging the authorities to safeguard their rights and dignity. Committee to record statements; UGC monitoring The Anti-Ragging Committee is expected to summon all parties and record statements in the coming days. The UGC Cell will monitor the inquiry until the college submits its findings. However, repeated calls and messages to Dean Dr Arvind Ghanghoriya and Anti-Ragging Committee chair Dr Purnima Dey Sarkar went unanswered.