"Felt the same sadness I felt when I heard news of my son's death'; Siddharth's parents react to court verdict

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Siddharth's parents reacted to the High Court verdict granting bail to all 19 accused arrested in connection with the death of JS Siddharth, a second year student of Pookode Veterinary University. Siddharth's father Jayaprakash said that he felt the same grief as when his son died when the verdict came. He added that the verdict was disappointing.

"The government delayed the case that should have been given to the CBI. It was the CPM leader who helped the accused to surrender. The government's role became clear from this itself. It was the home department that destroyed the evidence. The court did not get sufficient evidence because of this," Jayaprakash said. "The government delayed the case when it came to know that the SFI leaders were behind the murder. Until then the case was proceeding well," alleged Jayaprakash. It is not known on what basis the accused were granted bail. An appeal against the grant of bail will be filed at the Supreme Court. There is no intention to let the accused walk free. Siddharth's mother said that there is God and not only the court, and that they will proceed legally.

The court has granted conditional bail to 19 people. Although the CBI argued that witness statements were crucial in Siddharth's death and that the accused could influence the witnesses if they were granted bail, the court rejected this.

The court granted bail to all 19 accused with strict conditions. The bail order states that the accused should not enter the Wayanad district and should not leave the state until the trial is over. The court asked the accused to submit their passports immediately. The accused filed the bail application stating that the final report in the case has been submitted and there is no need for custody. They had requested in the bail application that they are students and that they should be provided an opportunity for further studies. The CBI's final report stated that Siddharth was a victim of brutal ragging and severe beating. Siddharth was found hanging in the toilet of the hostel room on February 18.