Kerala Police have apprehended six veterinary college students in connection with the tragic demise of Siddarth, a second-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Veterinary Science at Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University Campus, Pookode, Wayanad district.
The arrests were made under various charges, including abetment to suicide and violations of the Prohibition of Ragging Act. The arrested individuals are identified as Rahna Binoy, SD Akash, RD Sreehari, S. Abhilash, Donsdai, and Billgate Joshua. The police assert that these six were directly involved in physically assaulting Siddharth.
Initially categorised as an unnatural death, the case took a serious turn with a subsequent filing against 12 students, including leaders associated with the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) on the campus. The total count of accused individuals has now reached 18, with the possibility of additional names emerging.
The police are actively pursuing the remaining 12 accused, which include leaders affiliated with the SFI. As investigations progress, the authorities are determined to bring all those involved in this tragic incident to justice.
Reports suggest that these individuals subjected Siddarth to physical assault, humiliation, and a public trial, leading to his tragic end.
The arrests follow an interrogation where eight people were summoned on the night of February 28. Investigations revealed that the accused had allegedly beaten Siddarth, insulted him, and conducted a public trial in front of fellow students.
The six arrested individuals were presented before the magistrate and subsequently remanded. The police investigation team is expected to file a custody application for the accused to further probe the circumstances surrounding Siddarth’s death.
According to available reports, the conflict began on February 14 during the campus celebrations of Valentine’s Day. Siddarth participated in a dance program with senior female students as part of the festivities. Subsequently, he faced brutal torture and public humiliation by some senior students. The culmination of these events led to Siddarth being found hanging in the hostel washroom on February 18.
Post-mortem findings indicate injuries to the backbone, head, and various parts of the body, suggesting that these injuries occurred a couple of days before Siddarth’s death. His mother, who couldn’t reach him for a couple of days before the incident, spoke to him on February 18, finding no unusual hints or indications in his conversation. Siddarth’s father, T. Jayaprakash, firmly denies the possibility of suicide, asserting that his son was a bright student pursuing a course he loved, with no financial issues plaguing the family.
Jayaprakash alleges that Siddarth was, in fact, beaten to death by individuals associated with the Students’ Federation of India (SFI). The grieving father cites a phone conversation with Siddarth just two hours before his death, during which Siddarth promised to visit home for the upcoming Attukal Pongala Celebrations. Jayaprakash is steadfast in his belief that his son’s death was a result of murder and not suicide.
Siddarth’s father, T Jayaprakash, revealed that his son harboured ambitious plans for his career, intending to pursue post-graduate (PG) and doctoral studies. However, some students, fearing for their lives, approached Jayaprakash with a harrowing account of Siddarth’s final moments. According to these witnesses, Siddarth was subjected to a public trial before more than 130 students, where he was ruthlessly attacked.
The accused, reportedly a fourth-year student, used an electric wire to tighten around Siddarth’s neck, causing him to fall. The assailants then proceeded to trample, kick, and beat him with a belt in a brutal display of cruelty. Three brave students, two girls and a boy, approached Jayaprakash and disclosed these horrifying details, asserting that they were threatened with dire consequences if they spoke the truth. They emphasized that Siddarth was forced into this public trial, a gruesome event witnessed by numerous students.
The three students further alleged that college authorities, allegedly associated with the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), threatened to expel them if they revealed the truth. Jayaprakash vehemently asserted that his son had no affiliations with any political party, and the college’s student union was dominated by SFI, leaving no room for other student bodies.
Making serious allegations, Jayaprakash claimed that the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) shields the accused due to their connection with the SFI. Siddarth’s relatives echoed concerns about the efficiency of the ongoing police investigation, accusing college authorities of influencing law enforcement to protect the culprits, purportedly enjoying political support.
Meanwhile, in the latest development, the main accused, Akhil, has been apprehended from Palakkad, as reported by Kalappatta Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) P.N. Sajeevan. The arrest adds a significant development to the case, potentially paving the way for a more comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding Siddarth’s tragic demise.
As the case continues to unfold, questions about the safety of students within educational institutions and the need for stringent measures against violence and ragging are gaining prominence. Siddarth’s grieving family, along with concerned citizens, awaits justice, hoping that all responsible individuals are held accountable for their actions.
