Introduction:

In a tragic turn of events, the suicide of Sidharthan J S, a second-year Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry student at the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, has sparked a legal battle at the Kerala High Court. Jayaprakash T, Sidharthan’s father, seeks to intervene in a petition challenging the suspension of Dr. M. R. Saseendranath, the Vice Chancellor of Kerala Veterinary and Animal Science University. Allegations of ragging and administrative negligence cast a shadow over the proceedings, highlighting the critical issues of student safety and institutional accountability.

Arguments:

Sidharthan’s father, represented by Senior Advocate George Poonthottam and Advocates Kavya Varma M M, Nisha George, and Navneeth Krishnan, contends that the Vice Chancellor failed in his duty to prevent ragging on campus, ultimately leading to his son’s tragic demise. It is argued that the Vice Chancellor’s suspension should be upheld pending inquiry into the incident. On the contrary, the Counsel for the Vice Chancellor objects to Jayaprakash T’s impleading application, asserting his status as a third party and questioning his locus standi in the matter.

Court’s Judgement:

Justice Ziyad Rahman A.A., presiding over the case, refrains from granting a stay against the Vice Chancellor’s suspension order. However, the Court accepts Jayaprakash T’s impleading application, recognizing the gravity of the allegations and the need for a thorough investigation. The Court emphasizes the importance of addressing the systemic issues of ragging and administrative negligence within educational institutions to prevent similar tragedies in the future.