M.K. Ram Released by Court, Re-Arrested in Suicide Case

In a dramatic turn of events, the Thalassery Principal District Sessions Court on Monday ordered the release of M.K. Ram, the prime accused in the abetment of suicide case involving Kannur Dental College student R.L. Nithin Raj, citing procedural lapses in his arrest. However, moments after his release, the Crime Branch re-arrested Ram outside the court premises.

Court Finds Arrest Procedure Flawed

Ram, the former head of the Department of Dental Anatomy at Kannur Dental College, was produced before the court following his arrest on Sunday. Defense counsel B. Latheef revealed that the court declined to remand Ram to judicial custody, ruling that the investigating agency had failed to inform him of the grounds for his arrest, as mandated by Supreme Court guidelines under Article 22. "We raised this issue before the court, and the court held that he could not be remanded without complying with that requirement," Latheef told The Hindu.

Crime Branch Intensifies Pursuit After Bail Rejection

Ram had been absconding for weeks after the Kerala High Court dismissed his anticipatory bail plea on June 19. His appeal to the Supreme Court was subsequently rejected on July 13. Following the apex court's decision, a Crime Branch team led by Inspector Sreejith Koderi intensified efforts to locate him. Investigators tracked Ram to Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, but he allegedly escaped before they could apprehend him. He was eventually arrested on Sunday in Coorg, Karnataka, while travelling with a family member. Police sources allege that Ram received assistance from his brother, a local political figure, during his time in hiding.

Case Rooted in Allegations of Harassment

The case stems from the tragic death of Nithin Raj, a first-year BDS student, who was found dead on the college premises on April 10. His family alleged that caste-based harassment by faculty members, including Ram, drove him to suicide. A case of abetment to suicide was registered following these allegations.

Loan App Investigation Adds Complexity

Adding another layer to the investigation, the Crime Branch is probing the role of a Noida-based loan app, Instapay, which allegedly issued a loan to Nithin Raj at exorbitant interest rates. Investigators claim that recovery agents from the app repeatedly threatened the student, potentially exacerbating his distress. Four individuals have been arrested in connection with this angle of the probe, which is being led by Dy.SP Jeevan George.

Special Investigation Team Leads Probe

The investigation into Nithin Raj’s death is being overseen by a special team headed by Dy.SP Sudheer Kallan. With Ram’s re-arrest and ongoing inquiries into both the harassment and loan app angles, the case continues to unfold, drawing significant public attention.

Source: The Hindu