Student suicide case panel submits its report to AP government

The four-member committee headed by retired IAS officer S Balasubramanyam, which completed its probe into the suicide of Acharya Nagarjuna University (ANU) B Arch first year student Mondi Rishiteswari, found that it is a case of ragging, it was announced here today.
The committee submitted its report to the AP state government on Saturday and suggested that principal Babu Rao must be probed as per provisions laid down in the Anti-Ragging Act 1997 and Prohibition of Sexual Harassment of Women at the Workplace, 2013.
Speaking to reporters here today, AP HRD Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao said that the four-member committee submitted its report after meeting the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, 170 ANU students, besides the District Collector, Superintendent of Police, parents of victims as well as students who are accused in the case.

The committee has suggested setting up a fast track court and appointing a special persecutor for speedy justice to the victim's family, the minister said.
The committee observed that some more students might be involved in the case.
The minister said that based on the suggestion of the four-member committee, university campuses would set up a toll-free helpline number 18004255314, a biometric attendance system in hostels, install CCTV cameras in hostels and take other steps by August 30.
ANU Vice-Chancellor (In-Charge) K R S Sambasiva Rao was sacked after the committee submitted its report and the government has appointed Commissioner of Department of Technical Education B Udayalaxmi as ANU's Vice-Chancellor (In-Charge).

So far three students have been arrested in the Mondi Rishiteswari suicide case and the role of some more students in the case is being probed, the minister said.