Gujarat Medical College Interns Assaulted by Batchmates Over Instagram Jokes; Four Students Suspended

Police reported that two interns from the Government Medical College in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, were allegedly detained and assaulted by some peers and a senior due to jokes shared on Instagram. The college has suspended four students immediately, treating the incidents as ragging. Two FIRs have been filed, and the interns, along with a friend, are currently hospitalised following the assaults.

The complaints were lodged by interns Ishan Kotak and Aman Joshi. They claimed that the accused were displeased with their management of convocation and sports events at the college. Both incidents occurred on Friday. According to the FIR, the interns were detained, assaulted, and threatened with death by their batchmates and a senior.

Allegations of Assault and Threats

Joshi's complaint detailed how four batchmates and a senior entered his hostel room late at night. They took him to another room where he was slapped multiple times, verbally abused, and threatened with death. He stated that their dissatisfaction stemmed from decisions he made regarding college sports activities.

Kotak's complaint described being summoned from his hostel room by four batchmates. Upon meeting them near the hostel, he and a friend were forced into a vehicle, driven around, and assaulted. Kotak mentioned that the accused were upset over jokes he posted on an Instagram page they created for "innocent" humour.

Legal Action and College Response

Two FIRs have been lodged under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for wrongful confinement, causing hurt intentionally, provoking breach of peace through insults, and using obscene acts and language publicly. Police stated that investigations are ongoing, but no arrests have been made yet.

Dr Sushil Jha, dean of the medical college, confirmed that they treated the matter as ragging. "The incident amounts to ragging," he said. The college's 11-member anti-ragging committee convened to suspend four students immediately and withhold their certificates. The committee plans to reconvene next Saturday for further action.

The situation remains under investigation as authorities work to resolve these serious allegations within the educational institution. The college's swift action reflects its commitment to addressing such issues promptly.