'A wonderful effect for students': SC junks Dr’s bail in Kerala dental college caste row death case

New Deslhi: The Supreme Court on Monday (July 13, 2026) rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Dr M.K. Ram, the Head of Department accused in connection with the suicide of Kerala dental college student Nithin Raj. The court said the case should send a clear message that teachers cannot mistreat students and escape accountability.

A Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta dismissed the special leave petition challenging the Kerala High Court's order, which had refused anticipatory bail last month.

During the hearing, the Bench repeatedly questioned the conduct allegedly displayed by the professor towards students.

Senior Advocate D.S. Naidu, appearing for Dr Ram, argued that his client had merely been a strict teacher and that disciplinary action taken in the interest of students' future should not be treated as a criminal offence. He submitted that the professor was accused of humiliating the student over not bringing his parents for a meeting, but maintained that no caste-related slur had been used.

Naidu also referred to another incident that took place about an hour before Nithin Raj's death. He said another professor had complained to the principal that the student had taken a loan through a loan application and named the professor as a guarantor. According to the counsel, recovery agents then allegedly harassed both the professor and the student over repayment of the ₹15,000 loan, which carried an interest rate of 36%.

He argued that the student may have feared legal consequences because another criminal case related to a honeytrap allegation had already been registered against him. The counsel also informed the court that those associated with the loan app harassment had since been arrested and remanded. 

'It was the tipping point,' says Bench

The Bench, however, was unconvinced by the defence.

When the counsel argued that the alleged humiliation had taken place a month before the suicide and could not be considered its immediate cause, the Bench observed that "ultimately it was a tipping point".

Justice Mehta remarked that a teacher must understand the consequences of humiliating a student in front of classmates, asking what impact such public humiliation could have on a young student.

Naidu contended that denying anticipatory bail in such circumstances could have a chilling effect on teachers attempting to maintain discipline, arguing that professors may sometimes cross the line without criminal intent.

The Bench disagreed, stating that refusing bail would instead have "a wonderful effect for the students" because it would send a message that teachers cannot behave in such a manner towards students. The court further observed that educators who mistreat students must realise that times have changed.

State opposes bail

Appearing for the Kerala government, Standing Counsel Aljo K. Joseph submitted that Dr Ram had been absconding for nearly three months and was not cooperating with the investigation.

After hearing both sides, the Supreme Court dismissed the special leave petition, upholding the Kerala High Court's refusal to grant anticipatory bail.