Latest news with #Sidharthan
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Sidharthan's death following ragging: Kerala HC directs govt to deposit Rs 7 lakh in registry
Kochi: High court has directed the state govt to deposit Rs 7 lakh, the amount ordered by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) as compensation to the parents of J S Sidharthan, within 10 days with the high court 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. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Enact stringent law prescribing severe punishment for ragging: Kerala high court tells govt
Kochi: High court has urged the state govt to enact a stringent law prescribing severe punishment for ragging in educational institutions, noting that such a measure is essential to curb the menace that continues to claim the lives of students due to the unruly and violent conduct of undisciplined peers. The bench of Justice D K Singh observed that the state must also ensure that those found guilty of ragging are not let off unpunished. The court made these remarks while considering the petitions filed by M K Narayanan and R Kanthanathan, the dean and assistant hostel warden, respectively, of the Pookode campus of the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University. The petitioners had challenged the disciplinary proceedings initiated against them following the death by suicide of J S Sidharthan, a second-year BVSc student, who was allegedly subjected to brutal ragging. Disposing of the petitions, HC directed the university to proceed with the departmental proceedings against the petitioners and complete the same within three months. It also mandated that the petitioners cooperate fully with the inquiry. Further, HC instructed the university to ensure appropriate action is taken against the students found responsible for Sidharthan's death. Sidharthan was found hanging in the hostel bathroom on Feb 18, 2024. Following the incident, the vice-chancellor issued suspension orders against the petitioners on March 5, and a three-member inquiry committee was constituted. The committee's report held both petitioners jointly liable for failing to discharge their duties and responsibilities. Subsequently, the chancellor appointed Justice A Hariprasad, a retired HC judge, to conduct an inquiry into the lapses in the administration of the campus and hostel. His report found that the dean failed in his responsibilities as warden and that the assistant warden also failed to enforce discipline in the men's hostel. The report was also critical of the conduct of the vice-chancellor. The petitioners had challenged the disciplinary proceedings and also the chancellor's communication dated August 12, 2024, which called for action under the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University Act, 2010 and asked the management council to respond within 45 days. They contended that the chancellor had no authority under the statute to initiate or direct disciplinary action against them. The court, however, rejected their contentions, holding that the chancellor has wide and overarching powers under the Act, including the authority to issue directions to the university authorities, who are duty-bound to comply.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Ragging & death of Sidharthan: Govt moves Kerala HC against NHRC's order for compensation
Kochi: The state govt has filed a petition in high court challenging the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) order which directed it to pay a compensation of Rs 7 lakh to the parents of J S Sidharthan, a second-year BVSc student at the Pookode campus of the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, who allegedly died by suicide following brutal ragging. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji adjourned the matter to June 30 for a detailed hearing. The NHRC had issued the direction on Oct 1, 2024, based on a petition filed by Sandeep Vachaspathi, spokesperson of the BJP in Kerala. In his petition, Vachaspathi requested an investigation into the incident and action against the students involved, as well as against the dean of the college. Sidharthan was found hanging in the bathroom of the college hostel on Feb 18, 2024. Nineteen students were arrested in connection with the incident, and the investigation was later handed over to CBI. The CBI chargesheet revealed that Sidharthan had been stripped, assaulted and subjected to a public trial in the men's hostel courtyard. He was allegedly harassed continuously for two days before his death. The NHRC had forwarded the complaint to the Wayanad district collector for appropriate action. On May 10, 2024, the commission issued a show cause notice to the chief secretary, asking why compensation of Rs 7 lakh should not be recommended to the victim's parents. Although the state filed a reply, the NHRC found that the suicide occurred within the hostel premises and concluded that there was negligence on the part of the hostel authorities. Consequently, it directed the govt to pay compensation, prompting the state to move HC. The govt contended that the order issued by the NHRC lacks statutory authority and that the proceedings are illegal.
