Veterinary student death: Kerala High Court directs Centre to immediately notify CBI probe

The Kerala High Court on Friday directed the Central government to expeditiously issue a notification entrusing the investigation into the recent death of veterinary student Sidharthan JS to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). [Jayaprakash T v. Union of India & Ors.].20-year-old Sidharthan was found dead in the hostel of the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University in Wayanad where he was a second-year undergraduate student. Brutal ragging by fellow students is alleged to have led to the death of the student who was found hanging on February 18 this year. Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas said that any further delay in sanctioning a CBI probe would affect the entire investigation and defeat the ends of justice. "Each day's delay can cause serious prejudice to the investigation already ordered. It may cause prejudice to the investigation and undue benefits to the perpetrators of the crime. Such a situation ought not to befall any investigation. Therefore it is upon the first respondent, Union of India, to initiate immediate action and issue the requisite notification under Section 5 of the Act, without further delay. The needful ought to be done before the next posting (April 9)," the Court said in its order..The order was passed on a petition moved by Sidharthan's father, Jayprakash T, seeking to expeditiously transfer the probe to the CBI.In his petition, Jayaprakash alleged that Sidharthan was murdered by a group of students and residents of the college hostel who had subjected him to inhumane treatment such as denial of food and water for three continuous days prior to his death. Once Sidharthan's body was found, a crime was registered for unnatural death. Offences of abetment of suicide and criminal conspiracy punishable under the Indian Penal Code and other offences under the Kerala Prohibition of Ragging Act, were added later. The petitioner submitted that even though a crime was registered by the State police, the students who were arrested were being protected by local political leaders.Following the submission of a representation to the Kerala Chief Minister, the State government issued an order entrusting the probe to the CBI.However, certain essential documents were not forwarded to the Central government which was causing undue delay, Jayaprakash contended. .Jayaprakash was represented by Senior Advocate George Poonthottam, and advocate Nisha George. Senior Central Government Counsel TC Krishna appeared on behalf of the Central government.Senior Advocate KP Satheesan and advocates Bharath Mohan and P Narayanan appeared for the CBI..[Read Order]