Dental Student Suicide: Kerala High Court Denies Anticipatory Bail To College HOD Dr. Kodanda Ram In Abetment Case

The Kerala High Court on Friday (June 19) dismissed the criminal appeal filed by Dr. M. Kodanda Ram seeking pre-arrest bail in the suicide abetment case of dental college student Nithin Raj. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 329]

A detailed order is awaited.

Justice A. Badharudeen pronounced the order today in open court.

The Court had heard the counsels for Dr. Ram and the parents of Nithin Raj before reserving its verdict in the case.

Dr. Ram is the HOD of Kannur Dental College and is arrayed as the prime accused in the case. He came before the High Court in appeal after his pre-arrest bail plea was dismissed by Sessions Court, Thalassery.

The Sessions Court had granted anticipatory bail to the second accused Dr. Sangeetha Nambiar.

The prosecution allegation is that the deceased student committed suicide due to the constant mental harassment of Dr. Ram. It is further alleged that Dr. Ram humiliated the deceased in front of his classmates, knowing fully well that he was a member of the Scheduled Caste community.

The offences alleged against him are those under Section 108 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(2)(v) of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

While hearing the case, Justice Badharudeen had orally remarked that there was a seious students in medical colleges in the State were being treated cruelly. It also orally suggested that a Committee can be constituted to inquire into allegations and form an opinion and then form guidelines or stipulations.

The appeal is moved by Advocates S. Rajeev, V. Vinay, M.S. Aneer, Anilkumar C.R., Sarath K.P., Dipa V., K.S. Kiran Krishnan, Akash Cherian Thomas, Azad Sunil, T.P. Aravind, Maheswar Padickal, Akshara S. and Nivedita Rajeev.

Case No: Crl.A 609/ 2026

Case Title: Dr. M.Kodanda Ram v. State and Ors.

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 329