Sidharthan's death following ragging: Kerala HC directs govt to deposit Rs 7 lakh in registry
Sidharthan, a student at the Pookode campus of Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, was found hanging in the bathroom of his college hostel on Feb 18, 2024 following alleged brutal ragging.
The bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji issued the direction while considering the state's petition challenging the NHRC's order dated Oct 1, 2024. The court noted that the petition had been filed eight months after the NHRC's order and sought urgent relief.
Questioning the delay, the bench made the deposit of the compensation amount a condition for entertaining the petition. HC was also noted that the petition appeared to have been prompted by the NHRC's direction to the chief secretary to appear before it on July 10 for non-compliance with its earlier order.
HC permitted the state to amend its petition to explain the delay in filing. In the meantime, if any request is made by the state govt for deferment of the appearance of the concerned official before the NHRC, the commission shall consider such request. However, this liberty shall be subject to the condition that the compensation amount is deposited with the registry, HC clarified. The matter has been adjourned to July 11.
Acting on a complaint filed by BJP leader Sandeep Vachaspathi, the NHRC directed the state on Oct 1, 2024, to pay Rs 7 lakh as compensation to the deceased's parents.
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