Death Of A First-Year Dental Student In Kerala
Nithin Raj, a first year BDS student at the Anjarakandy Dental College, was found lying with serious injuries in a gravel-laden area near Kannur Medical College on Friday.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Two teachers of a government dental college in Kerala, including the head of the department, were suspended in connection with the unnatural death of a Dalit student.
Nithin Raj, a first year BDS student at the Anjarakandy Dental College, was found lying with serious injuries in a gravel-laden area near Kannur Medical College on Friday. He succumbed to his injuries at the medical college later.
According to preliminary reports, the 23-year-old student jumped from a multi-storey building at the Ancharakandi Medical College in a suspected case of suicide. Nithin’s family levelled serious allegations against the HoD and another teacher, accusing them of discriminating against the student based on caste, colour and financial status. Nithin got admission in the college last September.
Based on the allegations levelled by the family of the victim, the college authorities suspended Dental Anatomy Department head Dr M K Ram and Associate Professor Dr Sangeetha.
Dental College Principal Vinod Moni, however, told media persons that no complaints related to caste abuse have been received. He said the academic administration will fully cooperate with the police for a detailed probe.
A case under section 184 (unnatural death) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was registered by the Chakkarakkal police station in connection with the incident. Besides the police probe, the college administration has constituted an inquiry committee to look into the allegations.
