Two medical college students from Chennai have been fined Rs 2 lakh each for throwing a dog from the rooftop of a building and filming it.

Dr MGR Medical University arrived at this decision after it was directed by the Madras High Court to decide on the quantum of penalty amount to be paid by each student.

On Tuesday, a disciplinary committee formed by the Dr MGR Medical University directed Gautam Sudarshan and Ashish Pal to pay Rs 2 lakh each to the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI).

The fine set by the University is unprecedented. Under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, the maximum fine is Rs 50 for cruelty to animals. Latest reports suggest that this sum could be hiked to a meagre Rs 100.

The 34-second video, shot by Ashish Pal showed Gautam Sudarshan holding a dog and hurling it from the rooftop had gone viral in July, with activists and citizens outraged over the horrific act of animal cruelty.

The dog was later found by activists Anthony Rubin and Shravan Krishnan and they named her Bhadra.

The High Court’s direction came on the basis of a writ petition filed by the two students challenging the university’s decision to suspend them.

The court will soon hear a case filed by animal rights activist Anthony Rubin, who had called for psychiatric evaluation of the two students and whether they were mentally sound enough to be capable of becoming doctors.

The Chennai police filed the case under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act against both Gautam Sudarshan and Ashish Pal following their arrest on July 6.