Kerala Vet student’s death: V-C steps down even as unfulfilled CBI probe promise puts LDF govt in a spot

Both developments have drawn sharp criticism from the Opposition: They have argued that such actions undermine the seriousness of the situation, and that the state government had failed miserably to deliver justice to the victim as well as to his family.

The death of 20-year-old Siddharthan on 18 February sent shockwaves across the state as it was alleged that he was assaulted viciously.

Those facing the allegation of assaulting Siddharthan included members of the Student Federation of India (SFI), the students’ wing of the CPI(M).

Meanwhile, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Monday, 25 March, ordered the cancellation of the revocation of the suspension of the accused students.

Also Read: Kerala vet student’s death: Government to hand over probe to CBI

The CBI probe promise

It was on 9 March that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan assured Siddharthan’s father T Jayaprakash that the probe into the death of his son would be handed over to the CBI.

The government also issued a notification that day, according consent to the central probe agency to investigate the case.

A statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) back then said: “The police efficiently investigated the case and arrested all the culprits behind it. But considering the feelings of Siddharthan’s father and other family members, the government will ask the CBI to take over the investigation.”

However, Jayaprakash told reporters that a deliberate delay had occurred in the handing-over of the investigation to the CBI. He also added that if needed he will resort to protest.

“It seems that the state government, by announcing the CBI probe, was looking to calm the furore over the death of Siddharthan. And it largely met that objective. Now, there is no CBI probe nor police investigation,” Jayaprakash told reporters.

At the same time, with the Lok Sabha election campaigns heating up, the ruling LDF is afraid that the timing of the family’s outburst has the potential to dent the government’s image, especially with the Opposition making this a campaign topic.

There are unconfirmed reports that the state’s Home Department has begun an internal inquiry to check whether any deliberate lapse held up the CBI inquiry notification from reaching the Department of Personnel under the Ministry of Personnel, Pension, and Public Grievances.

Kerala student death: Sidharthan was stripped and assaulted, says remand report

‘Tampering with evidence’

Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan told reporters that it was to quell the protests that the government announced a CBI probe.

“The government knows that the incident might cause some backlash to it in the upcoming elections. To quell protests, a CBI probe was announced. But now there are no visible signs of the CBI. We are doubtful of the government’s commitment to uncover the truth. The delay will only help to tamper with the evidence,” said Satheesan.

Echoing these sentiments, the NDA candidate for Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, said the state was yet to notify the CBI.

“As far as I know, the state is yet to alert the CBI. The delay might only help [the culprits] tamper with the evidence,” Rajeev told reporters.

Related: Another accused in Kerala student death case nabbed in Palakkad

Suspension revoked

Adding to the controversy is the revocation of suspensions of some students allegedly involved in the ragging incident.

This move, seen by many as a lenient response to a grave offence, has drawn sharp criticism from Opposition parties.

It is learnt that KVASU Vice-Chancellor (VC) Dr PC Saseendran revoked the suspension issued to 33 students in connection with the death of Siddharthan. The decision, it is said, has been taken without any legal advice.

Earlier, the college’s Anti-Ragging Committee expelled 31 students and suspended 90 more after an investigation by the Anti-Ragging Squad.

Taking note of the reports, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan is said to have sought an explanation from the VC.

Kerala vet student death: University dean and assistant warden suspended

New VC steps down

The development turned murkier as unconfirmed reports said that the new KVASU VC stepped down citing personal reasons.

He was said to have sent a resignation letter to the Governor, who is the Chancellor of universities in the state.

According to the news agency PTI, the Governor has not yet made a decision on Saseendran’s resignation.

Saseendran was appointed the VC after the Governor suspended Dr MR Saseendranath in the wake of the Siddharthan incident.

It was on 2 March that the Governor appointed Saseendran — a former professor with the KVASU — as officiating vice-chancellor.

However, neither the Governor’s office nor the higher education minister’s office commented on Saseendran’s suspension.

Earlier, the police arrested all 18 people named as accused in the assault on Siddharthan.

A remand report submitted by the police said that a belt and a cable wire were used to assault the student.

It added that his classmates and a senior held a “public trial” inside the hostel alleging that he had misbehaved with a female student of the college.

Students’ suspension to continue

Meanwhile, the controversial order reinstating 33 students suspended earlier in connection with Siddharthan’s death was cancelled on Monday after Governor Arif Mohammed Khan intervened, according to official sources in Thiruvananthapuram.

On learning about the incident, Khan directed the KVASU VC PC Saseendran to cancel the order.

Saseendran immediately cancelled the order following the intervention of the Governor, who is the chancellor of the university.

The move came as Siddharthan’s father met the Governor at Raj Bhavan, following the management of the state-run college reinstating the 33 students.