Veterinary Student Death: Kerala High Court Impleads Deceased's Mother In Bail Applications Moved By Accused

Sidharthan's mother disputed the finding in the final report that her son committed suicide by hanging. She alleged that further investigation is required by the CBI since the local police had tried to portray the brutal and inhumane murder as death by suicide. It was also submitted that granting bail to the accused persons would affect the investigation and witnesses would also refrain from speaking the truth due to fear.

Sidharthan's mother also submitted that there is sufficient evidence to charge the accused persons for the offence of murder through mob lynching.

Justice Mohammed Nias C.P. allowed the mother's impleading application and posted the matter for hearing on May 22, 2024. “The application to implead filed by the mother of the deceased is allowed,” stated the Court.

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.

Last week, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) submitted its final report, naming 19 students as accused of committing offences punishable under Sections 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. The CBI had taken over the investigation pursuant to the orders of the Court.

The CBI final report stated that Sidharthan was assaulted and humiliated before everyone which took away his self-respect and dignity, leading to his suicide.

Sidharthan's mother alleged that attempts are being made to conceal the cause of death to the CBI and further investigation is warranted. It is further submitted that the students in the college were reluctant to speak the truth to the police due to fear. It is stated that if the accused persons were released on bail, they would never reveal the truth behind the death of Sidharthan.

Special Prosecutor, Senior Advocate Dr K P Satheeshan 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: Rehan Binoy v State of Kerala & Connected Cases

Case Number: Bail Appl. 3023/2024 & Connected Cases