The Kerala High Court rejected Dr. M. Kodanda Ram’s anticipatory bail plea related to the suicide of Dalit student Nithin Raj. Dr. Ram, the head of the Department at Kannur Dental College, faced accusations of verbally harassing Nithin Raj, who tragically died by suicide in April. The court dismissed the plea filed by Dr. Ram, who is the main accused in the case concerning the death of the dental student.
Nithin Raj, a student at the dental college, reportedly took his own life on April 10 by jumping from a building near the college. His family alleged that he had been subjected to caste-based harassment and mental cruelty by faculty members before his death. Following a complaint by his father, the police registered a case against Dr. Ram and two other staff members for abetment of suicide and offenses under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
Dr. Ram, along with another accused faculty member, Dr. Sangeetha Nambiar, had sought anticipatory bail from the sessions court. While Dr. Nambiar was granted bail on April 25, Dr. Ram’s plea was rejected, leading him to approach the High Court. The state, opposing the bail plea, highlighted statements from students alleging improper conduct by Dr. Ram towards them.
The prosecution also claimed that Dr. Ram had incited other teachers to harass Nithin Raj. During the proceedings, the High Court expressed concerns over recurrent harassment allegations in medical colleges and suggested the government consider establishing a committee to address such complaints. Dr. Ram’s defense refuted the caste-based harassment allegations, pointing to other factors contributing to the student’s distress.
Despite arguments from both sides, the court declined to provide protection from arrest to Dr. Ram. The case has raised broader issues regarding student welfare, institutional responsibility, and the handling of discrimination and harassment complaints in professional colleges.
