 | This article needs to be updated. (February 2025) |
| Date | February 18, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Location | Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Kerala, India |
| Inquiries | Kerala 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.[3][4] The Students' Federation of India (SFI)[5][6][7] branch at the university was accused of ragging Sidharthan because Sidharthan had danced with some senior female students at a Valentine's Day event. Leadership of the Students' Federation of India visited Sidharthan's family and apologized for the conduct of SFI members at the university.
Investigation[edit | edit source]
On 18 February, Sidharthan was found hanging in the washroom of his hostel.[8] An autopsy suggested that Sidharthan had died due to hanging,[5] and that prior to his death, Sidharthan had "sustained multiple blunt injuries"[5] and had not eaten.[8]
Following his death, the Students' Federation of India (SFI)[5][6][7] 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.[8]
According to police, there had been a 'tiff' on 14 February[8] because Sidharthan had danced with some senior female students at a Valentine's Day event.[5] 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.[8]
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.[5]
Reactions[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Six held in custody for ragging death of Wayanad Vet student". English.Mathrubhumi. 2024-02-28. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ Assary, Gilvester (2024-02-29). "Vet University Student's Death Rocks Kerala". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
- ↑ "Death of veterinary student: College officials accused of laxity". English.Mathrubhumi. 2024-03-01. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 "4 SFI members among 11 arrested in Kerala college student death". The Indian Express. 2024-03-01. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 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.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Sreejith, K. S. (2024-03-04). "SFI, CPM under lens over Sidharthan death case". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Raghunath, Arjun (2024-02-29). "Brutal ragging and mob trial led to student's death in Kerala". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
- ↑ "Wayanad student suicide: Six arrested for college student's suicide". The New Indian Express. 2024-02-29. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
- ↑ https://english.janamtv.com/news/kerala/97085/six-students-arrested-in-pookode-veterinary-college-students-death-case-12-others-including-sfi-leaders-abscond/
- ↑ "Governor to visit Pookode Veterinary University". English.Mathrubhumi. 2024-03-04. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
- ↑ ഡെസ്ക്, സമകാലിക മലയാളം (2024-03-01). "'രാഷ്ട്രീയം നോക്കില്ല, പ്രതികൾ ആരാണെങ്കിലും പരമാവധി ശിക്ഷ ഉറപ്പാക്കും': സിദ്ധാർഥന്റെ വീട്ടിലെത്തി വി ശിവൻകുട്ടി". Samakalika Malayalam (in മലയാളം). Retrieved 2024-03-04.
- ↑ "Congress leaders seek CBI probe into death of Sidharthan". The Hindu. 2024-03-03. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
- ↑ "Sidharthan's death: SFI apologises". English.Mathrubhumi. 2024-03-04. Retrieved 2024-03-04.