In a disturbing development, a shocking case of ragging has come to light at a renowned school in Panchgani, near the famed hill station of Mahabaleshwar in Satara district.
Two minor boys from the same class are accused of severely abusing and humiliating two younger students, with reports revealing that one of the children was forcibly stripped by his classmates.
According to police sources, the incident first came to public attention when a 14-year-old student studying in the ninth standard called his parents at 8 pm on July 10, reporting that he and his friend were beaten and stripped by two classmates. Fearing further abuse, the boys fled the school premises and traveled to Pune, reaching there at approximately 1:30 pm.
Further investigations revealed that the same child had previously endured similar incidents on June 23 and July 6, where he was undressed and mocked in front of other students. The child detailed being threatened and assaulted during these episodes, prompting his parents to report the matter to Panchgani police.
Following the complaint, authorities recorded statements from the parents of the involved minors and referred the case to the juvenile court in Satara for a thorough investigation. The incident has sent shockwaves through the educational community, raising serious concerns about ragging among minors in elite educational institutions.
Well-known students who studied in Panchgani
Panchgani, a hill town known for its well-known schools that attract children from all over India, is now under the spotlight for concerns about student safety and discipline. With recent incidents raising alarms, many are questioning whether legal steps will be taken against the minors involved. The situation highlights the urgent need to stop ragging and make schools safer for everyone.
Several well-known personalities have studied in Panchgani over the years. These include legendary Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, Bollywood actresses Kajol, Zeenat Aman, Nutan, Twinkle Khanna, Kim Sharma, Prachi Desai, and Rinke Khanna. Other notable names include Miss World 1966 Reita Faria, classical dancer Protima Bedi, filmmaker Saahil Prem, Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker, and Lieutenant General Victory Rana.
