Dharamsala, July 23 (IANS) A court here Friday allowed four medical students accused of ragging a junior, Aman Kachru, last year leading to his death, to appear in the Himachal Pradesh High Court in Shimla, an official said.
The high court had Thursday issued notice to the state government, asking why the bail granted to the accused not be cancelled.
The high court also asked the government to ensure that the accused – Ajay Verma, Naveen Verma, Abhinav Verma and Mukul Sharma – are present in the court July 24.
‘The accused sought the permission of fast-track court judge Purinder Vaidya to allow them to appear in the high court and the judge allowed them,’ District Deputy Attorney R.K. Kaushal told reporters.
The fast-track court has not taken any decision on cancelling their bail as the matter has already been taken up by the high court, he added. However, the court has listed the matter for hearing Aug 2.
The state had moved the fast-track court for setting aside the bail granted to the students, who were charged with murder (section 302 of the Indian Penal Code). They were earlier accused of culpable homicide not amounting to murder (section 304).
The accused were granted bail by the fast-track court July 17 after 16 months in custody.
Taking note of media reports regarding the bail, Justice D.D. Sud of the high court directed the government and the accused to file their replies.
Aman, 19, a firt year medical student, 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. The four students were arrested.
After bail was granted, Aman’s father Rajendra Kachru, who has been fighting relentlessly for justice, 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.’
