The Jharkhand High Court has imposed a fine of ₹20 lakh on Birla Institute of Technology (BIT), Mesra, to be paid to the parents of a student murdered on its campus last year, holding the institute accountable for failing in its duty of care.
Justice Sanjay Prasad, while pronouncing the verdict, said the institutional failure of BIT Mesra contributed to the loss of a life. The court also unveiled a comprehensive set of safety and medical protocols for educational institutions across the state to prevent such tragedies.
Mandatory Medical Infrastructure
The bench directed all schools and colleges to maintain an updated list of government and private hospitals with ambulance facilities. Each institution must operate a medical dispensary or clinic staffed with one male and one female doctor for every 500–1,000 students, equipped with essential medicines and life-saving drugs.
Enhanced Campus Security
The order mandates installation of CCTV cameras inside and outside classrooms, at hostel entrances, and other key locations. Names and contact details of hospitals and doctors must be displayed prominently in classrooms and common areas.
Student Grievance & Monitoring System
Institutions must establish a dedicated grievance cell, a student monitoring team, and an online grievance redressal portal to facilitate communication between students, parents, and the administration.
Background of the Case
The directions came while rejecting the appeals of convicts Mausam Kumar Singh, Abhishek Kumar, Sahil Ansari, and Irfan Ansari in the murder case. The court had earlier instructed the state’s Director General of Police and government to formulate a standard operating procedure for ensuring student safety in educational campuses.
Justice Prasad emphasised that protecting students is a fundamental responsibility of educational institutions and that lapses in safety protocols would not be tolerated.
