Kannur: Teacher Dr K. Ram, who has been accused in connection with the death of R.L. Nithin Raj, a student at Kannur Dental College in Ancharakkandi, has been dismissed from the institution. The college management officially announced his removal on Thursday.

A decision to dismiss Dr Ram was taken at a management meeting held on Tuesday. The college had earlier conveyed the decision informally to protesting students and assured them of action. Following this, the management proceeded with his dismissal on Thursday. The move came after strong protests by students following Nithin Raj’s death.

Dr Ram, head of the Oral Pathology Department at Ancharakkandi Kannur Dental College, had faced several complaints even prior to Nithin Raj’s death. After the incident, more students came forward with serious allegations against him.

ALSO READ | ‘Gay, transgender’ taunts; ‘killed someone’ claim: Allegations against accused in Nithin Raj case

The management meeting also decided that further action against Dr Sangeetha Nambiar, who is also an accused in the case, would be taken after an internal inquiry. Both Dr Ram and Dr Nambiar were earlier suspended from their posts.

Dr Ram has been named in two police cases registered in connection with Nithin Raj’s death, including charges of abetment of suicide and offences under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Meanwhile, Dr Ram, a native of Andhra Pradesh, is currently absconding. Police have confirmed that efforts to trace him are ongoing.

What happened to Nithin Raj?

A 22-year-old first-year BDS student, Nithin Raj of Kannur Dental College, died on April 11, 2026 after falling from the fifth floor of a college building. Police are investigating the case as a suspected suicide.

The incident sparked widespread protests after his family alleged that he was subjected to ongoing caste-based discrimination and mental harassment by faculty members. According to their claims, some professors allegedly mocked his background and skin tone. A viral audio clip said to be Nithin’s has further intensified public attention, in which he reportedly describes sustained humiliation within the institution.

Alongside these allegations, investigators are also examining whether financial stress linked to a predatory loan app may have contributed to his distress, though the primary line of inquiry currently focuses on the conduct of certain faculty members.