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The Kerala High Court has upheld the Veterinary and Animal Sciences University’s decision to expel 18 students accused in connection with the death of JS Sidharthan, a second-year veterinary student. On Wednesday, May 28, a Division Bench quashed a previous single bench order that had allowed the students to continue their studies and appear for examinations.
The Division Bench, comprising Justice Amit Rawal and Justice K V Jayakumar, delivered the verdict while hearing an appeal filed by Sidharthan’s mother, NM Sheeba, along with related appeals. The court endorsed the university’s decision to debar the students and ruled that they would not be permitted to write their exams.
The judgment comes months after Sidharthan was found dead in a hostel bathroom at Pookode Veterinary College in Wayanad on February 18, 2024. What was initially presumed to be a suicide soon escalated into a high-profile case of alleged ragging and abuse, after the post-mortem report revealed signs of prolonged physical and mental harassment.
Amid public outrage, the university had expelled all 19 students named as accused in the case. Although they were initially permitted to continue their education on a different campus, this arrangement was challenged by Sidharthan’s family. The High Court subsequently directed the university to take appropriate action, resulting in their formal expulsion.
Among those expelled are students reportedly affiliated with the Students' Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of Kerala's ruling party. According to Sidharthan’s parents, the harassment stemmed from personal resentment — particularly after Sidharthan was seen dancing with female classmates on Valentine’s Day in 2023.
The accused students have been charged with various offences, including ragging and abetment of suicide. The university’s action, now reinforced by the High Court’s ruling, is being viewed as a strong message against campus bullying and institutional apathy in cases of student harassment.