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Suicide attempt: IPMS College of Aviation principal held

Arraigned as sixth accused in the case.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The principal of IPMS College of Aviation near Thampanoor here, identified as Deepa Manikantan, was arrested by the Kondotty police in connection with the mishap suffered by a student. Five girl students were held by the police earlier. Athira I.S., 20, who was studying for air hostess course, suffered severe injuries after falling from the top floor of a hostel at Karipur in Malappuram district on November 30.

While the police suspected it was a suicide bid, her relatives alleged that she was facing mental and physical harassment. According to police sources, Ms Deepa was traced to be in Coimbatore with the help of cyber cell by tracking her mobile number. She was arraigned as sixth accused in the case. Her role was suspected to be abetting the crime. Five students already arraigned in the case, Neethu, Athira, Shaija, Vaishnavi and Shalu, had secured bail.

They said that prima facie Ms Athira attempted suicide owing to the mental and physical torture against her by the accused students at the behest of Ms Deepa, who was also one of the owners of the institution. The harassment was over personal matters.

Police was also learnt to have received certain video footage of the harassment. The students were on a training programme at the Calicut airport. Ms Athira suffered a head injury and multiple fractures. She was initially admitted to Kozhikode Medical College and later shifted to a private hospital here. Since Athira is a Dalit, provisions of SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act were also invoked. The SC/ST welfare minister A. K. Balan had called on Ms Athira and assured her parents of proper investigation and assistance.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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