Kochi: All the 19 students of Pookode Veterinary University have been expelled in connection with the death of a student named Siddharthan, who was allegedly subjected to brutal ragging. The action was taken based on the university's internal inquiry report, and the decision was formally conveyed to the High Court.

The expelled students were earlier allowed to continue their education on a different campus, but Siddharthan’s family had approached the High Court challenging this arrangement. The court, while considering the appeal, took a firm stance and directed the university to respond with urgency. Subsequently, the university sought an immediate report from the anti-ragging committee.

Acting on this report, the university has now expelled the 19 students involved in the case. In a strict move, the report also recommended that none of these students should be permitted to enrol in any other university or campus for the next three years, effectively barring them from pursuing higher education during this period.

Siddharthan, a native of Nedumangad in Thiruvananthapuram, was found dead in a hostel bathroom on February 18, 2024. It is alleged that he was driven to take his own life after enduring severe ragging, physical assault and public humiliation, which reportedly caused him immense mental distress.