[Veterinary Student Death] CBI Submits Final Report Accusing 19 Students Of Abetment To Suicide, Criminal Conspiracy & Assault
In the matter of a veterinary student's death in Kerala, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has submitted its final report, naming 19 students as accused. The CBI had taken over the investigation of the matter pursuant to the orders of the Court.The final report of the CBI stated that the Anti-ragging squad of the college submitted a report to the police after their enquiry concluding...
In the matter of a veterinary student's death in Kerala, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has submitted its final report, naming 19 students as accused. The CBI had taken over the investigation of the matter pursuant to the orders of the Court.
The final report of the CBI stated that the Anti-ragging squad of the college submitted a report to the police after their enquiry concluding that Sidharthan was subjected to brutal physical assault and public trial by some of his classmates and seniors.
The CBI Final Report stated that the accused persons were agitated that Sidharthan misbehaved with a girl during the preparation of Valentine's day celebrations in the college.
The Report further stated that the accused persons called him to the hostel, questioned him regarding his alleged misbehaviour and brutally assaulted him in the hostel room.
The students implicated as accused in the suicide of Sidharthan J S, approached the Kerala High Court seeking bail. Around 10 bail applications were considered by the Court today.
Justice Johnson John posted the matter for hearing on 14.05.2024.
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.
“The accused persons….physically assaulted Sidharthan JS using s leather belt, cable wire of a glue gun, using their hands and legs. Sidharthan J S was forced to remove his pant and shirt and was made to remain in his underwear only. He was forcefully confined in the room by the accused persons and was beaten with belt, cable wire of a glue gun, by slapping, kicking etc….the said assault, crimininal intimidation and humiliation continued upto around 12 am on 17.02.2024”, stated the Report filed by CBI
The Report stated that the accused persons forcefully took Sidharthan in a partially naked state to the courtyard of the men's hostel and continued to assault and humiliate him before everyone
The Report stated that the accused persons threatened Sidharthan that he would be socially isolated which caused him severe mental trauma.
The Report thus stated that the accused persons committed criminal conspiracy to physically assault and humiliate Sidharthan which took away his self-respect and dignity leading to his suicide.
“This humiliation and harassment has deprived Sidharthan of his self respect and dignity. further, after beating and humiliating , the accused persons did not provide medical care and also not consoled to bring him out of his mental trauma thereby abetted the deceased Sidharthan JS to commit suicide" stated the Report filed by CBI
The Report stated that after the assault Sidharthan was found hanging in the bathroom of the dormitory of the men's hostel.
The CBI thus concluded that the 19 accused persons had committed offences punishable under Section 120B, 341, 323, 324, 355, 306, 506 of IPC and under Sections 4 and 3 of the Kerala Prohibition of Ragging Act, 1998 and substantive offences thereof.
Recently, the Court dismissed the writ petition filed by Dr. M. R. Saseendranath, Vice Chancellor of Kerala Veterinary and Animal Science University, challenging the suspension order issued against him by the Chancellor pending inquiry.
Special Prosecutor, Senior Advocate Dr K P Satheeshan assisted by Advocates Sudhin Kumar and Bharath Mohan appeared for CBI.
The plea has been moved by Advocates S K Adhithyan, Reuben Charly, Shahina Noushad, S Rajeev, V Vinay, M.S.Aneer, Prerith Philip Joseph, Anilkumar C.R., K.S.Kiran Krishnan, Nourin S. Fathima, Rilgin V George, Nazrin Banu, Akshara K P, E.Adithyan, Safa C.M., Nesamudheen, P.Prijith, Thomas P.Kuruvilla, R.Githesh, Manjunath Menon, Sachin Jacob Ambat, Ajay Ben Jose, Harikrishnan S., Anna Linda Eden, P Martin Jose, S M Prasanth, T Ramprasad Unni, Aswini Sankar R S, Shehin S, T Shajith.
Case Title: Akash S D v State of Kerala & Connected Cases
Case Number: Bail Appl. 2306/2024 & Connected Cases