Bhubaneswar, July 19: The bail pleas of three students accused of ragging their roommate at the hostel of a private Plus Two college in Nayagarh were rejected today.

The victim's father filed a police complaint yesterday, and the case came up for hearing today before the district juvenile justice board.

Authorities of the private college, Divine Residential College, today shot off letters to the guardians of the three accused students to collect their school leaving certificates and other relevant documents. The college had expelled the students last evening.

At present, the victim student is undergoing treatment at Nayagarh District Headquarters Hospital. He has visible burn and bite injuries all over his body. His legs bear several cut marks apparently made by sharp weapons.

The incident came to light yesterday after his father filed a complaint at Nayagarh Town police station, following which the cops detained the three students.

The Plus Two student alleged that he was subjected to both physical and mental torture by the three seniors ever since he joined the college in June. His roommates used to thrash him, make him do sit-ups, make cuts on his thighs using sharp objects, bite him, rein punches on his face and attack him with glass bottles.

The teenager remained silent, as the three threatened him with dire consequences if he complained about the matter to the college authorities.

His parents, however, alleged that the college authorities had tried to hush up the matter and so, they approached the police.

"Our department has ordered the college concerned to take action against the accused students. Following the FIR lodged by the victim's father, the accused were detained. Action will be taken against the three students following the law. The department has sought a detailed report on the incident," said higher education minister Pradeep Panigrahi.

A two-member team from the district child protection unit also visited the victim.

Council of Higher Secondary Education chairman Basudev Chattoi said colleges under the council followed the anti-ragging rules as laid down by the Supreme Court. "The higher education department, too, regularly sends out circulars to all colleges asking them to strengthen their anti-ragging cells," said Chattoi. The department had recently asked the institutions to provide details about the functioning of anti-ragging cells, the number of ragging cases being registered and steps taken to address them.

It had also asked the members of these cells to conduct awareness camps.

The Plus Two colleges in the state abide by the Supreme Court guidelines on ragging. These say the institutions should start taking anti-ragging steps from the time they advertise for admissions. The prospectus, the form for admission and any other literature issued to aspirants for admission must mention that ragging is banned in the institution and anyone indulging in ragging would be punished.

This punishment can mean withholding scholarships or other benefits, debarring the accused from representation in events, withholding results, suspension or expulsion from hostel or mess, and the like. The application form for admission should have a printed undertaking to be filled up and signed by the candidate that he or she is aware of the institution's approach towards ragging.