Calcutta HC permits suspended medical students to attend classes amid ragging allegations

The Calcutta High Court has allowed seven students from Burdwan Medical College and Hospital, previously suspended over alleged ragging, to attend classes. In an interim order issued on Friday by Justice Jai Sengupta, the students may return to their studies while the case is under review, but they are restricted from entering the hostel.

"If they encounter any difficulties in attending classes, they are permitted to seek police assistance", the court said. The court has scheduled the next hearing on this case for November 11. The issue began on September 11, when Burdwan Medical College lodged ragging complaints against seven students, including Isha Paul, on behalf of other students.

In response, the college authorities imposed an entry ban on these students, preventing them from accessing both the college and the hostel. Challenging the decision, the suspended students filed a petition in the Calcutta High Court, claiming they were not informed of the specific charges against them and were denied the opportunity to respond. Their attorney, Kalyan Bandyopadhyay, argued, "How can the authorities ban college access unilaterally without informing them of the allegations?" He also criticized what he referred to as a “threat culture.”