Main accused Akhil held in Palakkad in Siddharth’s death case

WAYANAD: Akhil, the main accused in the case related to the death of J S Siddharth, a student of the Pookode Veterinary University campus, has been arrested. He was taken into police custody from Palakkad.

Siddharth, a second year BVSP student and a native of Nedumangad in Thiruvananthapuram, died of mob trial, brutal beating and mental harassment. An eyewitness said Siddharth was subjected to brutal harassment from February 14 to 18th.

Six accused have already been arrested in connection with his death. They belong to the group who publicly harass students. A special investigation team led by DySP T N Sajeev arrested Rehan Binoy (20) of Palakandy in Thiruvananthapuram, S D Akash (22) of Konjiravila Vijayamma Nivas, R D Sreehari (23), Nandiyod Sreenilayam, S Abhishek (23) of Idukki Ramakkal Medu Pazhayadath House, Don's Daya (23) of Thodupuzha Muthalakkodam Thurakkal Puthenpura, Billgates Joshua (23) of Sultan Bathery. There are more than 20 accused in total. Those arrested are not among the 12 people suspended from the college for ragging. They are on the run.

Siddharth was found hanging in the washroom of the hostel on February 18. Alleging that he misbehaved with a girl, a group of students brutally beat him in the hostel and on the hill behind the college for three consecutive days. The accused threatened him in front of almost 150 students. It is alleged that food was not given to him. Siddharth, who reached Ernakulam to go home, was called back and brutally harassed.