Death of Sidharthan

Death of Sidharthan
DateFebruary 18, 2024; 10 months ago (2024-02-18)
LocationKerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Kerala, India
InquiriesKerala Police investigations

On 18 February 2024, Sidharthan, a 20-year-old veterinary science student[1][2] of Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, was found dead in his hostel in Pookode, Wayanad, Kerala under suspicious circumstances.[3][4]

Investigation

On 18 February, Sidharthan was found hanging in the washroom of his hostel.[5] An autopsy suggested that Sidharthan had died due to hanging,[6] and that prior to his death, Sidharthan had "sustained multiple blunt injuries"[6] and had not eaten.[5]

Following his death, the Students' Federation of India (SFI)[6][7][8] branch at the university was accused of ragging Sidharthan, which had led to his death; Sidharthan's parents accused the group of murdering him outright.[5]

According to police, there had been a "tiff" on 14 February[5] because Sidharthan had danced with some senior female students at a Valentine's Day event.[6] This escalated into "brutal assault" by a group of senior students in the courtyard of the hostel on 15 February. Sidarthan contacted his mother briefly on 16 February, saying he was not feeling well and was resting.[5]

The Special Investigation Team of Kerala Police arrested four SFI Kerala leaders on 1 March 2024. The SFI also fired the four.[9][10] By 1 March, 11 people had been arrested in connection with the death, with 18 students accused in total.[6]

Reactions

Kerala governor Arif Mohammed Khan issued an order suspending the Vice-Chancellor of Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU) over Sidharthan's death on 2024 February 18.[11]

Kerala General Education minister V Sivankutty said that the government will take strict action against those behind the death of Sidharthan.[12]

Indian National Congress’s V D Satheesan, the Leader of Opposition, called on Kerala's Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, to have the Central Bureau of Investigation investigate the death.[13]

The leadership of the Students' Federation of India visited Sidharthan's family and apologized for the conduct of SFI members at the University.[14]

References

  1. ^ "Six held in custody for ragging death of Wayanad Vet student". English.Mathrubhumi. 2024-02-28. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  2. ^ "After death of 20-year-old at Kerala college, claims that he was mercilessly ragged by members of CPI(M)'s student outfit". The Indian Express. 2024-02-29. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  3. ^ Assary, Gilvester (2024-02-29). "Vet University Student's Death Rocks Kerala". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  4. ^ "Death of veterinary student: College officials accused of laxity". English.Mathrubhumi. 2024-03-01. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  5. ^ a b c d e Raghunath, Arjun (2024-02-29). "Brutal ragging and mob trial led to student's death in Kerala". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  6. ^ a b c d e "4 SFI members among 11 arrested in Kerala college student death". The Indian Express. 2024-03-01. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  7. ^ rashmi.kuttan. "Kerala student death case: SFI seeks apology from family of Sidharthan; police conduct evidence collection". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  8. ^ Sreejith, K. S. (2024-03-04). "SFI, CPM under lens over Sidharthan death case". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  9. ^ "Wayanad student suicide: Six arrested for college student's suicide". The New Indian Express. 2024-02-29. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  10. ^ https://english.janamtv.com/news/kerala/97085/six-students-arrested-in-pookode-veterinary-college-students-death-case-12-others-including-sfi-leaders-abscond/
  11. ^ "Governor to visit Pookode Veterinary University". English.Mathrubhumi. 2024-03-04. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  12. ^ ഡെസ്ക്, സമകാലിക മലയാളം (2024-03-01). "'രാഷ്ട്രീയം നോക്കില്ല, പ്രതികൾ ആരാണെങ്കിലും പരമാവധി ശിക്ഷ ഉറപ്പാക്കും': സിദ്ധാർഥന്റെ വീട്ടിലെത്തി വി ശിവൻകുട്ടി". Samakalika Malayalam (in Malayalam). Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  13. ^ "Congress leaders seek CBI probe into death of Sidharthan". The Hindu. 2024-03-03. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  14. ^ "Sidharthan's death: SFI apologises". English.Mathrubhumi. 2024-03-04. Retrieved 2024-03-04.