Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology in Burla. Telegraph picture

Sambalpur, Aug. 4: Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT) in Burla has rusticated four students for one academic year for allegedly being involved in ragging.

The university authorities have also slapped a fine of Rs 10,000 on two other students on ragging charges. All the six students, who were punished by the university authorities, belong to the 5th semester.

Sambit Mishra of information and technology branch, Kartikeswar Parida of computer science, Somya Ranjan Jena and Chinmaya Patra of the civil branch have been rusticated by the university authority for one academic year.

Ankur Adlakha of electronics and P. Prabin Kumar of civil engineering have been slapped with a fine of Rs 10,000 each.

Sources said seven inmates of Atri Hall of Residence, a university hostel, were allegedly ragged by some of their seniors on July 24.

The ragging victims were identified as Goutam Ranjan Panda, Amarjit Sahu, Tribrikram Tripathy, Jnanaranjan Biswal, S. Pattnaik, Alok Ranjan Tripathy and Jnana Ranjan Mishra of third semester

Following the alleged ragging incident, university authorities had constituted a nine-member disciplinary committee under the chairmanship of the dean of student welfare, P.K. Hota, to probe the matter.

The committee had called the seven students of third semester and 17 students from fifth semester to inquire into the incident.

“There was a scuffle between the students of third semester and students fifth semester. The incident took place on July 24. The next day, the disciplinary committee was constituted to inquire into the matter. The students from both sides along with the wardens and other officials were present during the inquiry. After inquiry, the committee decided to rusticate four students for one academic year and impose a fine of Rs 10,000 on two other students for this act of indiscipline,” said disciplinary committee chairman, Hota.

The students who have been rusticated will have to leave the university and the hostel for one academic year. The two students who have been fined will have to deposit the amount within one week, he said.

The six students are also required to submit an undertaking that they will not be involved in any in anti-disciplinary activities in the future,” said Hota.