Kerala dental college caste row death: Dr Ram denied bail amid debate on police delay in arrest

Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Friday dismissed the anticipatory bail petition filed by Dr M Kodanda Ram, head of department at Kannur Dental College, who is an accused in a case linked to the death of a Dalit dental student in April.

Justice A Badharudeen passed the order while rejecting the plea moved by Dr Ram, who has been described by the prosecution as the prime accused in the case registered in connection with the death of student Nithin Raj.

Nithin Raj, a student of the same institution, allegedly died by suicide on April 10 after jumping from a building located near the college campus.

His family has alleged that he was subjected to caste-based harassment and sustained mental cruelty from faculty members prior to his death. The allegations form the basis of the criminal case currently under investigation.

Following a complaint lodged by his father, police registered a case against Dr Ram and two other faculty members.

The charges include abetment of suicide along with provisions under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

Dr Ram had earlier approached the sessions court seeking anticipatory bail along with another accused faculty member, Dr Sangeetha Nambiar.

While the sessions court granted anticipatory bail to Dr Nambiar on April 25, it rejected Dr Ram’s plea. He subsequently challenged the decision before the High Court.

Opposing the petition before the High Court, the state government submitted that statements from two students indicated alleged improper conduct by Dr Ram towards students.

The prosecution further alleged that Dr Ram had instigated other faculty members to harass Nithin Raj, contributing to the circumstances leading to his death.

During the hearing, the High Court also observed concerns over repeated allegations of harassment reported from medical colleges. It noted that the government may consider forming a committee to examine such complaints and suggest corrective measures.

Dr Ram’s counsel denied the allegations of caste-based harassment and argued that other factors could have contributed to the student’s distress.

The defence placed reliance on CCTV footage showing Nithin Raj entering the principal’s room before his death. It also referred to documents indicating alleged loan recovery pressure faced by the student.

After hearing both sides, the High Court declined to grant anticipatory bail to Dr Ram.

Debate over institutional conduct and investigation timeline

The case has sparked discussion on student welfare, institutional accountability and the handling of discrimination complaints in professional colleges.

On social media, some users have alleged delays in police action in proceeding with the arrest of Dr Ram. Activists and commentators have also questioned the investigation timeline, pointing to the period of the incident in April during the final phase of the LDF government’s tenure. They further noted that the UDF government assumed office in May, and as of June, the accused has not been arrested, alleging delay in enforcement despite the High Court’s rejection of anticipatory bail.