NHRC summons Telangana Higher Education Secretary over alleged ragging death

The NHRC has issued a conditional summons to Telangana’s Higher Education Department Principal Secretary over the alleged ragging and death of BTech student Sai Teja. The Commission said no action taken report had been received despite its earlier direction.

Hyderabad: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a conditional summons to the principal secretary to Telangana government (Higher Education Department) in connection with the alleged ragging and death of Sai Teja, a BTech student of Siddhartha Engineering College, Hyderabad.

The proceedings arise from a complaint filed by Sabavath Kalyan, a Law Student of the University of Delhi, before the NHRC regarding the death of Teja, who was allegedly subjected to severe ragging and harassment by senior students while staying in a private hostel.
According to the complaint, before his death, Teja had reportedly recorded a selfie video narrating his ordeal. The NHRC had earlier directed the Principal Secretary to submit an action taken report. However, the Commission noted that more than four months had passed without a response or intervention from the authorities concerned.

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In view of non-response, the Commission issued a conditional summons to the Principal Secretary to appear in person or through an authorised representative to appear before it on October 28.
However, if requisite reports are received one week prior to the scheduled date, then personal appearance of authorities would be dispensed with, it added.