In a shocking answer, the principal of the college said it was not a case of ragging and there was no question of informing the police.
“Clearly, frankly and honestly, it is not a case of ragging. We have not gone to the police and will not inform them in future,” Valson Thampu said firmly.
“I know the Supreme Court direction on ragging, but in the language of the boys, it’s a trick. The boys were punished not for ragging, but for violating residential (hostel) rules,” Mr Thampu told IANS.
“The punishment given to the students is adequate. Me, my faculties and even the victim have already said this,” he added.
Referring to the inebriated state of the senior students involved in the shocking incident, Thampu said, “They were drunk and violated the hostel rules.”
Though it has come to light only now, the shocking incident took place on the night of September 27, when first year student Debayan Chakraborty approached four second-year students for help in filling a form.
However, rather than assisting him, the seniors, who were reportedly drunk, allegedly sprayed “deodorant or perfume” on his knee and hand and threw a lit matchstick on him.
While Mr Chakraborty is back home in Kolkata, three of the other students have been suspended from the college hostel - or residence as it is known - for a year.
The fourth has been suspended from classes for a month because he was not staying in the hostel.
The Supreme Court had earlier this year come down heavily on ragging. It had warned educational institutions that any failure or negligence in lodging a police complaint would be construed as negligence on their part.
However, police said they couldn’t initiate any action unless the college or the victim filed a formal complaint with them.
“We have not received any complaint so far. But we will definitely consider action if either of the parties approach us,” Additional Deputy Commissioner Of Police Atul Katiyar said.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) also says that it has not received any report from the college administration.
