The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken over the investigation into the death of a 20-year-old veterinary student in Kerala's Wayanad, who was found dead inside his college hostel room on February 18. The student, JS Sidharthan, was a second-year degree student at the Kerala University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences.
JS Sidharthan's family alleged foul play in his death, leading to suspicions of murder rather than suicide. In response to their demands, the CBI re-registered the FIR against 20 individuals, including students and possibly faculty members, on charges related to criminal conspiracy, abetment to suicide, wrongful restraint, voluntarily causing hurt, and violations of the Kerala Prohibition of Ragging Act, 1998.
The police had already arrested 11 individuals accused of ragging and torturing Sidharthan prior to his death. His family claimed that the perpetrators were associated with the Students' Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of the CPI(M), and alleged that they were being protected by the political party.
The decision to hand over the investigation to the CBI came after nearly a month of political pressure and public outcry, including demands from Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar and Opposition leader VD Satheesan. Kerala Governor Arif Muhammed Khan suspended the Vice-Chancellor of the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University following allegations of negligence and attempts to cover up the incident.
Congress MP from Wayanad Rahul Gandhi also wrote to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, urging a CBI probe into the case. Gandhi criticized the delay in arrests and raised concerns about the impartiality of the investigation.
The CBI's involvement signifies a significant step towards a thorough and impartial investigation into Sidharthan's death, aiming to bring justice to the victim and his family while holding accountable those responsible for the alleged misconduct and negligence.
