The murder case of JS Sidharthan, a second-year student at Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU) in Pookkode, Wayanad, has taken a new turn as his father, Jayaprakash, alleges the involvement of a prominent student leader in the crime. Speaking to the media, Jayaprakash expressed his frustration with the government’s delay in transferring the case documents to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), accusing them of betrayal.
According to Jayaprakash, his deceased son had confided in him about the regular visits of PM Arsho, the state secretary of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), to the university campus. Alleging Arsho’s involvement in the murder, Jayaprakash demanded a thorough investigation into why Arsho, who is not a student at the university, frequented the campus and stayed in the student union office for days at a time. He called for a case to be registered against Arsho and claimed that SFI, the student wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPM, operates like a terrorist organisation, training its members in tactics reminiscent of Maoists.
Furthermore, Jayaprakash criticised the Kerala Home Department and the state police, suggesting that they cannot evade accountability due to the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) government’s ties to the CPM. He emphasized the need for an inquiry to uncover the truth, proposing that Arsho’s phone should be tracked by the cyber cell to ascertain his movements. Jayaprakash expressed doubts about the Kerala Police’s willingness to include Arsho’s name in the list of accused individuals, given his position as the state secretary of the CPM’s student organisation and his alleged involvement in previous cases.
Reports indicate that Arsho, already embroiled in over 40 cases, including a previous arrest in June 2022 for attempted murder, is under scrutiny once again in connection with the case.
Arsho’s involvement has come under scrutiny following revelations about his actions and associations. In a previous incident, Maharaja’s College Ernakulam (Kochi) released a mark list in his name despite him not appearing for the examinations, sparking controversy that was later dismissed as a technical issue. Moreover, Arsho’s presence during an SFI agitation at Calicut University in December 2023, where obscene language was used against university authorities, has raised further questions about his conduct.
Jayaprakash, the father of the deceased, has accused Arsho of being aware of the alleged torture his son endured for eight months prior to his death, yet failing to intervene. He also alleges that another student involved in the crime, Akshay, is being shielded by a senior CPM leader, preventing his arrest. Furthermore, Jayaprakash questions the accountability of the university’s Dean, accusing him of neglecting his duties and attempting to protect the accused.
Expressing his frustration with the handling of the case, Jayaprakash has threatened to launch a protest in front of the official residence of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan if all the culprits are not apprehended. He also highlighted concerns about the mishandling of documents related to the CBI inquiry, alleging that they were sent to the wrong CBI office, resulting in crucial delays. Jayaprakash views the delay as a deliberate attempt by the government to appease the public ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections, casting doubt on the sincerity of the investigation.
The distressing situation has taken a toll on the family, with Sidharthan’s mother, Sheeba, collapsing during the 41st day since his death due to deteriorating health. The unfolding events underscore the complexity and gravity of the case, revealing underlying tensions and suspicions surrounding the involvement of key figures and institutions. As the investigation continues, the pursuit of justice remains paramount for the grieving family and the wider community affected by the tragedy.
