Dental student Nithin Raj's death: Dr M K Ram granted bail

KANNUR: Dr MK Ram has been granted bail in connection with the death of dental college student Nithin Raj. The bail was granted by Principal and Sessions Judge Manoj M of the Thalassery District Sessions Court. The court granted bail despite the investigation team's request seeking Ram's custody.

The bail was granted on several conditions, including that Ram must fully cooperate with the investigation, submit a bond of Rs 5 lakh and not enter the college premises.

Nithin Raj, 19, a first-year BDS student at Anjarakandy Dental College, died by jumping from a campus building on April 10. Dr MK Ram, the former head of a department at the college, has been accused of abetting Nithin's suicide.

The prosecution alleged that Nithin had been subjected to continuous mental harassment by Ram. The investigation team also found that the student had allegedly faced harassment, including caste-based insults and discrimination.

Meanwhile, Crime Branch DySP Sudheer Kallan was suspended over alleged lapses in the procedures related to Ram's arrest. The Kerala High Court had also criticised the police for allowing Kallan to continue in service despite serious lapses being found against him.

Ram later surrendered before the new investigation team on July 23. This came after the Thalassery SC/ST Court granted permission for his re-arrest. Sangeetha Nair, the second accused in the case, had earlier been granted bail by the Thalassery Additional Sessions Court.