Introduction:

The Kerala High Court, in Dr. M. Kodanda Ram v. State and Others (Crl.A. No. 609 of 2026), dismissed the criminal appeal filed by Dr. M. Kodanda Ram seeking anticipatory bail in connection with the alleged abetment of the suicide of dental college student Nithin Raj. Justice A. Badharudeen pronounced the order in open court on June 19, 2026, affirming the earlier decision of the Sessions Court, Thalassery, which had refused pre-arrest bail to the appellant. A detailed judgment is awaited.

Dr. Kodanda Ram, the Head of the Department at Kannur Dental College, has been named as the principal accused in the case. The prosecution alleges that the deceased student, Nithin Raj, ended his life due to continuous mental harassment and humiliation inflicted by the appellant. It is further alleged that the accused publicly insulted the student in the presence of his classmates despite being aware that he belonged to the Scheduled Caste community. The case has been registered under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for abetment of suicide and Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(2)(v) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Arguments of the Parties:

The appellant challenged the Sessions Court’s refusal to grant anticipatory bail, contending that custodial interrogation was unnecessary and that he was entitled to the protection of pre-arrest bail. He sought interference by the High Court against the order refusing such relief. During the proceedings, the Court heard detailed submissions on behalf of the appellant before reserving its verdict.

The prosecution, supported by the parents of the deceased student, opposed the appeal. It was argued that the allegations against the appellant were grave and involved persistent mental harassment that allegedly drove the student to commit suicide. The prosecution further maintained that the alleged public humiliation of a Scheduled Caste student attracted the provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, making the case serious enough to deny anticipatory bail. It was also pointed out that while the Sessions Court had granted anticipatory bail to the second accused, Dr. Sangeetha Nambiar, the role attributed to the appellant was substantially different, as he was alleged to be the principal accused.

Court’s Judgment:

The Kerala High Court dismissed the appeal and declined to grant anticipatory bail to the appellant. Although the detailed reasons are yet to be released, the Court chose not to interfere with the order passed by the Sessions Court refusing pre-arrest bail to the principal accused.

During the hearing, Justice A. Badharudeen had made significant oral observations regarding the treatment of students in medical institutions. The Court remarked that students in medical colleges were often subjected to harsh and cruel treatment and indicated that systemic reforms may be necessary to address such issues. It also orally suggested that an independent committee could be constituted to examine complaints of harassment in educational institutions, assess such allegations objectively, and formulate appropriate guidelines to regulate institutional conduct.

With the dismissal of the appeal, the appellant remains without the protection of anticipatory bail and will have to face the investigation in accordance with law. The detailed judgment is expected to provide the legal reasoning behind the Court’s decision and may further clarify the approach to anticipatory bail in cases involving allegations of suicide abetment coupled with offences under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.