Kachru ragging case: Court questions Himachal on accused’s bail

SHIMLA - Taking note of media reports, the Himachal Pradesh High Court Thursday issued notice to the state government and four students accused of ragging medical student Aman Kachru, leading to his death last year.

The accused were granted bail by a local court last week after 16 months in custody.

Issuing notice, Justice D.D. Sud asked: “Why should the bail granted to the accused not be cancelled?”

The court, which initiated the proceeding on its own initiative, directed the government and the accused to file their replies by the next date of hearing July 24.

Justice Sud also directed the government to ensure that the accused - Ajay Verma, Naveen Verma, Abhinav Verma and Mukul Sharma - are present in the court on the date of hearing.

Aman, 19, died March 8, 2009, a few hours after being allegedly ragged by four final-year students of the Rajendra Prasad Medical College at Tanda town in Kangra district. Subsequently, they were arrested.

A fast-track court of Dharamsala granted bail to the accused July 17.

The state government moved the fast-track court July 19 for setting aside the bail granted to the accused.

The court July 20 asked the accused to their replies to the petition and listed the matter for hearing July 23.

After the bail was granted, Aman’s father Rajendra Kachru said: “The prosecution has not taken my son’s case seriously. It was a setback for the campaign against ragging. I am highly disappointed by the court ruling. It certainly gives a wrong message.”