While talking about the upcoming bill at a press conference on Monday, Singh said, “The bill will have punitive measures, including imprisonment, monetary fine for students indulging in ragging.”

He added, “The bill will have a provision for two years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10,000 for students involved in ragging.”

“Those accused of ragging will get ample time to prove their point. Within 30 days from the date of the registration of the complaint, the accused can prove their point before the divisional commissioners,” he further said.

Meanwhile, head of educational institutions, academicians and students of Uttar Pradesh hailed the state government’s initiative to counter ragging.

“The anti-ragging bill will definitely act as a deterrent for those senior students who physically or physiologically abuse their juniors,” said Lucknow University Vice-Chancellor Prof Ram Prakash Singh.

The V-C added that in the last few days, he has received several complaints of ragging from different hostels of the varsity. “Taking strict cognisance of these complaints, we will soon conduct raids in these hostels,” he added.

Echoing similar sentiments, Dr A N Singh, associated with LU’s social work department, said, “The move was long overdue as it will help weeding out the social menace from educational institutions.”