The Kerala High Court on May 28, 2025, disposed of the appeals filed by the mother of late veterinary student Sidharthan J.S., who allegedly died by suicide in February 2024. The appeals were against the Single Judge's ruling that had set aside the expulsion of 18 students accused in the case.
The matter was heard by a Division Bench of Justice Amit Rawal and Justice K.V. Jayakumar, who issued the final decision after considering the findings of the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University.
“The Division Bench has ruled in accordance with the respondent University's stand,” the order stated.
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Earlier, the University had debarred these 18 students for three years after they were named in the criminal case linked to Sidharthan’s death.
Background of the Case
Sidharthan J.S. was a second-year student at the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, in Wayanad. He died on February 18, 2024, in what was suspected to be a result of ragging and physical assault by his classmates and seniors.
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A case was registered under Sections 341, 323, 324, 342, and 306 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and Sections 3 and 4 of the Kerala Prohibition of Ragging Act, 1998.
Later, the CBI took over the investigation and submitted a final report charging 19 individuals. The charges included serious offences such as criminal conspiracy (Section 120B IPC), wrongful restraint, assault, criminal intimidation, and abetment to suicide. The students were later granted bail by the High Court.
“The CBI’s report held 19 persons responsible for Sidharthan’s death and included multiple sections under IPC and Anti-Ragging laws,” the court noted.
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Earlier Court Order and Appeal
In December 2024, a Single Bench of the Kerala High Court quashed the expulsion order passed by the University and permitted the accused students to be re-admitted to the Mannuthy campus. The court also directed a fresh disciplinary enquiry into the matter.
Aggrieved by this decision, Sidharthan’s mother Sheeba M.R. approached the Division Bench. Since she was not a party to the original writ petition, she sought permission to file a third-party appeal. The court accepted her request and allowed her to proceed.
The Division Bench, while staying the Single Bench’s ruling, also emphasized:
“The mother of the deceased must be granted an opportunity to be heard during the new disciplinary enquiry by the University.”
The High Court has now disposed of all connected appeals, including the mother’s plea, aligning with the University’s stand and completing the legal proceedings at this stage.
“The court ensured that justice is balanced with procedural fairness, especially for the grieving parent,” the bench remarked.
Case Title: Sheeba M.R. v. Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University and Connected Cases
Case No: WA 268/2025 and Connected Cases
Appellants' Counsel: Sr. Adv. George Poonthottam, Nisha George, Kavya Varma M.M.
Respondents' Counsel: B. Deepak, P.C. Sasidharan, Karthik Bhavadasan, Manu Govind (SC for the University)
