Kerala Student Suicide: Amal Jyothi College Moves High Court Seeking Protection Amidst Protests By Student Political Organizations

A plea has been moved in the Kerala High Court seeking police protection for the management personnel, staff, vehicle and students of Amal Jyothi College of Engineering, amidst protests and alleged threats by the members of various student political organizations, following the suicide of a second year BTech student in the ladies hostel of the college on June 2, 2023. 

It is the case of the petitioners that following the incident, several persons belonging to student political outfits such as the Students Federation of India (SFI), Kerala Students Union (KSU), Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), and Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), gathered at the main gate of the campus, shouting slogans in abusive language and blocking the ingress and egress to and from the college. It is averred that such members of student political organizations forcefully entered the campus, and threatened that the staff, students, and any person inside the campus from leaving the premises, and blocked the gates. 

The petitioners have submitted that despite the commotion created and the 'literal hijack' of the campus, no action was seen to be taken by the police authorities, which have led to the inculcation of a sense of insecurity and fear in the minds of the staff of the college. 

The petitioners further submitted that following such developments, they were constrained to close the functioning of the college, which has resulted in serious hardship for the management, and has affected the admission process of the new students as well as the administration of University exams. 

The petitioners have thus sought adequate protection for the staff and property of the college in order to conduct its educational activities without any obstruction or threats, and for the issuance of a direction to the police authorities to take appropriate action against those who obstruct the activities of the college. 

The matter has been posted for consideration tomorrow before the Single Judge Bench of Justice N. Nagaresh. 

Case Title: Amal Jyothi College of Engineering & Anr. v. State of Kerala & Ors.