In a groundbreaking decision, the Madras High Court has ordered four college students accused of murder to serve daily shifts in the trauma wards of government hospitals as a condition for their bail. This unconventional ruling is aimed at fostering reflection and accountability among the accused while addressing the broader issue of rising violence in student communities.
The students, undergraduates from Pachaiyappa’s College in Chennai, were arrested following a fatal clash with a student from Presidency College. Initially charged with attempted murder, their charges escalated when the victim succumbed to his injuries.
Justice A.D. Jagadish Chandira, who passed the order, directed two of the accused to serve daily from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital and the remaining two at Kilpauk Medical College Hospital. This mandate is to be carried out until December 19, after which the accused must appear before the court with a handwritten account of their experiences, accompanied by reports from hospital officials.
In addition to imposing the hospital service requirement, the court required the students to post a ₹15,000 bond each.
This decision was not solely about bail—it reflected the court’s broader concern over escalating campus violence. Justice Chandira emphasized the need for systemic change and took the unusual step of involving the state higher education secretary and the principals of the colleges involved in discussions to find long-term solutions.
Intervenors, including the Students’ Federation of India and an NGO, Sattha Panchayat Iyakkam, have also been permitted to contribute proposals aimed at curbing such incidents.
The case highlights the underlying tensions in student politics and group rivalries in educational institutions. The court’s directive to the accused to engage directly with trauma patients appears designed to confront them with the human cost of violence, encouraging a transformation of perspective.
The matter is set to return to court on December 20, where the insights gained from these service experiences may play a role in shaping future judicial actions and institutional reforms.
