Death of Nithin Raj: Human Rights Commission demands investigation by city police commissioner

KANNUR: The Human Rights Commission has demanded to investigate the serious allegations raised by the family of Nithin Raj, a first-year BDS student of Anjarakandy Dental College, who committed suicide, and submit a report within a week. Judicial member K Baijunath directed the Kannur City Police Chief to investigate and submit the report.

Nithin Raj's father had alleged that his son took the drastic step due to the harassment by his teachers in the name of caste and his dark complexion. The commission has registered a suo motu case based on media reports.

Congress Working Committee member Ramesh Chennithala also demanded a high-level investigation into his mysterious death. The government should seriously consider the stand of the parents and relatives that caste and colour discrimination was behind his death. He also demanded that the government take immediate steps to bring the responsible before law.

Nithin is the son of Rajan, a painter and a native of Uzhamalakkal, Nedumangad, Thiruvananthapuram and Latha. The teacher called his mother Latha around 1:30 pm on Friday to inform her about his death. After the postmortem at Pariyaram Government Medical College, the body was kept at the college for public viewing at 2 pm yesterday. His body was brought home today at his house in Uzhamalakkal, Thiruvananthapuram.

The head of the dental anatomy department, Dr M K Ram, and associate professor Dr Sangeetha have been suspended in connection with Nithin's death. The family had alleged yesterday that the head of the department had called Nithin a slum dog and had also abused him on the basis of his colour. Following this, the college principal, Dr Vinod Mani, took action. A committee has also been formed to investigate the incident.