The Kerala High Court on Monday orally observed that a committee must be formed to examine the treatment of medical students by colleges in the state and suggest remedial measures. The bench of Justice A Badharudeen noted a rise in complaints from medical students, stating, "Medical students are often treated very cruelly by colleges, even PG students. Many of them do not disclose it because of concerns about their future. They are suffering. A committee has to be constituted and confidential reports obtained on what is happening and what remedial measures are required."
Background of the Case
The observations were made while the High Court was considering an anticipatory bail plea filed by M Kodanda Ram, head of the department of dental anatomy at Ancharakandy Dental College, Kannur. The case relates to the alleged abetment of the suicide of BDS student Nithin Raj, a first-year student who died on April 10 after sustaining severe injuries from a fall off a college building.
Allegations and Legal Proceedings
The police registered a case based on a complaint from Nithin Raj's family, alleging that Ram and other faculty members subjected him to caste-based discrimination and harassment, which allegedly drove him to suicide. The Thalassery sessions court had earlier dismissed Ram's anticipatory bail plea, prompting him to approach the High Court.
During Monday's hearing, the deceased student's father appeared before the court and sought time to engage a lawyer, explaining that his previous counsel had relinquished the vakkalath (authority to represent). Consequently, the High Court adjourned the petition to June 8.
