Kannur student death case: Court rejects bail for main accused doctor, grants relief to faculty member

Kannur: A sessions court in Kannur has denied anticipatory bail to the main accused doctor in connection with the death of a dental student, while granting relief to another faculty member.

The order was passed by the Kannur District and Principal Sessions Court, which rejected the bail plea of M K Ram, former head of the Anatomy Department at a private dental college in Anjarakandy. However, co-accused Sangeetha Nambiar was granted anticipatory bail.

The case relates to the death of a first-year BDS student, who was found dead on April 10 after falling from a building on the college campus in what was initially suspected to be a suicide. The investigation later took a serious turn after the family alleged harassment by faculty members.

Following the complaint, police booked the accused under charges of abetment of suicide and provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, citing allegations of harassment based on caste and appearance.

During the hearing, the main accused denied all allegations, claiming that he had only advised the student on academic performance and had no role in any harassment. He also argued that the student was under stress due to issues with loan applications and that provisions of the SC/ST Act should not apply in his case.

The prosecution opposed the bail plea, stating that the student had faced repeated harassment and intimidation. It also questioned the claims made by the accused regarding his caste status.

After considering the arguments and the seriousness of the allegations, the court rejected the anticipatory bail plea of the main accused while allowing relief to the co-accused faculty member.

The case continues to be under investigation as authorities examine all aspects, including alleged harassment and external pressures faced by the student.