[Reader-list] Accused in Aman Kachroo ragging case get bail

[Aditya Raj Kaul]

*Accused in Aman Kachroo ragging case get bail*

*Sunday, July 18, 2010

PTI*

*Dharamsala/New Delhi:* A fast-track court in Himachal Pradesh has granted
bail to four accused in the Aman Kachroo ragging case, an order which his
father said would send a "wrong message".

Judge Purinder Vaidya had on Saturday granted bail to Ajay Verma, Naveen
Verma, Abhinav Verma and Mukul Sharma, who were charged with culpable
homicide not amounting to murder, on bond of Rs 50,000 each.

Aman (19), a first year MBBS student at Rajindra Prasad Government Medical
College, Tanda (Kangra), was allegedly thrashed by his seniors and he
subsequently died on March 8, 2009. The incident sparked an uproar.

The judge said since the statements of the witnesses have been recorded and
material evidence taken into account, the accused were given bail.

"The decision is a big disappointment even though this is a matter between
the state and the accused. We are not driven by vengeance but they being out
on bail conveys a wrong message," Aman's father Raj Kachroo said.

"Definitely, it's a setback," he said.

 The Supreme Court had last year directed all state governments to
constitute committees to look into the incidents of ragging and curb the
menace. A call centre was also set up.

"Last year, the Supreme Court passed an order asking the government to
execute a well-designed and properly researched plan that is ready for
implementation but nothing has happened. The token gesture of a call centre
has also failed because it was done very poorly," he claimed.

"It would have been a serious contempt of court in any country but here,
despite the apex court stepping in, nothing is happening on the field," Raj
said.

He said he visits the UGC and the HRD Ministry everyday but "nothing is
moving”.

"Now, the top people there don't even talk to me. The peon says you are
wasting your time. I get frustrated at times and even cry," Raj, who has set
up 'Aman Movement for the Eradication of Ragging', said.

"What more can a common man do? I will continue to go everyday and seek
justice for students who undergo ragging. The wheels have to be moved to
save lives," he said.

The next hearing in the case has been fixed for August 2.

PTI


-- 
Aditya Raj Kaul

India Editor
The Indian, Australia

Cell -  +91-9873297834
Web: http://activistsdiary.blogspot.com/