CBI Takes Over Investigation Into Veterinary Student's Death, Kerala High Court Closes Father's Plea

Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas observed that the Union Government had issued a notification under section 5 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act entrusting the investigation with the CBI.

“Since the central government has already issued the notification and the CBI has taken over the investigation, the reliefs sought for in this writ petition has become currently infructuous”, stated the Court while closing the plea.

The Court also directed the state government and state police to provide all assistance to the CBI for conducting the investigation.

The Special Prosecutor for CBI, Senior Advocate Dr K P Satheeshan submitted before the Court that the CBI took over the investigation and FIR was registered on April 05, 2024.

Background

Sidharthan was a second-year Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry student at the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode in Wayanad who allegedly committed suicide on February 18, 2024, because of ragging and brutal assault from the college.

Initially, crime was registered for unnatural death, and later additional offences including abetment of suicide, criminal conspiracy and provisions under the Kerala Prohibition of Ragging Act were added. The State Government sanctioned the CBI investigation but it was getting delayed and hence a plea seeking a CBI investigation was moved by Sidharthan's father.

The Court last week directed the Union Government to take immediate action and to pass notification to entrust the investigation to the CBI without any delay.

The plea is moved by Senior Advocate George Poonthotam, Advocates Nisha George, A.L.Navaneeth Krishnan, Anshin K.K, Kavya Varma M. M., Sidharth.R.Wariyar

Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (Ker) 235

Case title: Jayaprakash T v Union Of India & Ors.

Case number: WP (Crl) 377/2024