'Took Casual Approach Towards Ragging': Deceased Veterinary Student's Father Moves Kerala HC To Be Impleaded In VC's Suspension Matter

Dr. M. R. Saseendranath, Vice Chancellor of Kerala Veterinary and Animal Science University was suspended pending enquiry by the Governor over the suicide of Sidharthan. The Court was not inclined to grant a stay against the suspension order.

It is alleged that Sidharthan committed suicide on February 18, 2024, in the hostel room of his college because of ragging and brutal assault from a group of students in the college.

Today, when the matter was taken up, the Counsel appearing for the Vice Chancellor objected to the impleading application and argued that Sidharthan's father was a third party and could not be heard in the present writ petition.

A single bench of Justice Ziyad Rahman A.A. will be hearing the matter tomorrow.

In the impleading application, it was submitted that Sidharthan refused to join the Student Federation of India (SFI) because of which he was not chosen as a class representative during the second year of the course.

It is stated that the hostel warden, assistant warden and Dean of the college were fully aware of the brutal ragging against Sidharthan. It is also stated that Sidharthan lost his life since no action was taken by the college authorities including the Vice Chancellor against ragging. “It appears that all authorities including the Vice Chancellor had taken a casual approach in regard to the happenings in the college and hostel premises”, stated the impleading application.

Elucidating the duties and powers of the Vice Chancellor under Section 13 of Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University Act, 2010, it is stated that it was the duty of the Vice Chancellor to ensure compliance with the Kerala Prohibition of Ragging Act, 1988 to prevent ragging in college and hostel premises.

Sidharthan's father also submitted that people who were not studying in the college were also staying in the hostel and controlling its affairs. It was stated that the college authorities including the Vice Chancellor were aware of this but refrained from taking any action. 

It is alleged that the Vice Chancellor stated before the Press that he would not be challenging the suspension order issued against him. Further, it is claimed that the suspension order was now candidly being challenged by the Vice Chancellor to protect political interests and to support teachers, officers of the university and others.

The impleading application is moved by Senior Advocate George Poonthottam and Advocates Kavya Varma M M, Nisha George, Navneeth Krishnan

Case title: Dr. M. R. Saseendranath V State of Kerala

Case number: WP(C) 9022/ 2024