Thiruvananthapuram: Shibu, the uncle of Sidharth, a veterinary student who was found dead at the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University campus in Pookode, Wayanad on February 18, expressed gratitude to Janam TV for their support in seeking justice for the family. Sidharth’s uncle said that the mystery behind Sidharth’s death was first reported by Janam TV. He added that only after the media started reporting on Sidharth’s death the case gain public attention. He also mentioned that if Janam TV had not taken this initiative, the case would have faded away as just another suicide, and all the accused would have escaped.
Shibu also expressed the family’s gratitude for the intervention of Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan and the support received from the media.
Shibu said that Sidharth’s murder case would have been closed as just a suicide case if the media had not intervened in time. He emphasized that the case became a topic of public discussion due to media reporting and drew the attention of the Governor, which intensified the investigation.
He further stated that while justice has not yet been fully served to the family, at least 20 percent of the public now knows that Sidharth was murdered by SFI activists. However, the punishment for the arrested accused will depend on the conviction by the investigation team. He also pointed out that if the accused exert any influence, the punishments can likely get commuted.
Shibu accused SFI activists in the veterinary college of being responsible for Sidharth’s death, a 20-year-old aspiring student. He emphasized that such brutal assaults in Kerala universities should be brought to public attention and that the media plays a significant role in this.
According to police reports, problems erupted on February 14th in connection with Valentine’s Day celebrations at the college. Some of Sidharth’s seniors brutally beat and insulted him publicly for dancing with senior girl students. Subsequently, on February 18th, Sidharth was found dead, hanging in the hostel bathroom on the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University campus in Pookode.
Initially, the police lodged a case of unnatural death. However, the case took a turn when the National Anti-Ragging Cell received a complaint. Sidharth’s classmates testified that Sidharth was a victim of ragging. According to witnesses, before he was found hanging, Sidharth was called by his seniors and assaulted again. He was subjected to extreme brutality, stripped naked in front of 130 hostel students, and beaten with iron rods, wires, and belts. The post-mortem report revealed that Sidharth’s backbone, head, and various parts of his body were injured.
Meanwhile, there is significant criticism against the Dean and college authorities. It is reported that Dean Dr. MK Narayanan is favouring SFI attackers by providing them security and covering up their violent acts. ABVP are organising protests and are demanding action against college authorities who have sided with the criminal students.
Comments