The Kerala High Court on Friday reserved its order on a pre-arrest bail petition filed by Kodanda Ram, head of the department of dental anatomy at Anjarakandy Dental College in Kannur. The case pertains to the alleged abetment of suicide of BDS student Nithin Raj.
Court Directs Production of Case Diary and FSL Report
Justice A. Badharudeen directed the investigating officer to produce the case diary along with the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report concerning the alleged suicide to aid in deciding the petition.
Background of the Case
Nithin Raj, a first-year BDS student, died on April 10 after sustaining severe injuries from a fall from a college building. The police registered a case based on a complaint filed by his family, alleging that Ram and other faculty members subjected him to caste-based discrimination and harassment, which allegedly drove him to suicide.
Ram's Defense
Kodanda Ram contended that he did not instigate any act leading to the student's suicide. He claimed the suicide was due to pressure from individuals from whom Raj had allegedly taken a financial loan. The petition stated that Raj obtained the loan through a mobile application and provided a teacher's contact number to the lenders. After defaulting on repayment, the lenders repeatedly contacted the teacher, prompting her to lodge a complaint with the principal. Based on this complaint, Raj was summoned to the principal's office, questioned, and it was decided to file a formal complaint. Ram further asserted that no caste-based discrimination or harassment occurred as alleged.
High Court's Observation on Media Role
Addressing allegations of a media trial in the case, the High Court orally observed that the media plays a vital role in society. Their involvement has brought many illegalities to light. It is, in a way, a form of social service aimed at ensuring things are done properly. Some shortcomings may occur, as they do in every field. The court noted that it cannot rule out the role of the media. However, courts decide cases based on the materials and facts available on record and are not guided by the media.
