Governor with extraordinary action regarding Siddharth's death: VC suspended; judicial inquiry to be conducted

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Governor Arif Muhammad Khan's extraordinary action by suspending Veterinary University Vice-Chancellor Dr MR Sashindranath in the case of Siddharth's death following brutal beating of SFI leaders. A letter was sent to the High Court seeking the services of a sitting judge for a judicial inquiry into the incident. The Governor also informed that a judicial inquiry committee will be announced within three days. Former varsity professor and native of Mannuthy, Dr PC Saseendran, has replaced the VC.

The swift action of the Governor using the Chancellor's authority comes at a time when the Government is keeping silent without taking any action against the Pookode Veterinary University authorities. It was a heavy blow to the government. This is the first time in Kerala that a VC has been suspended by the Governor.

The governor sought the services of a sitting judge for a judicial inquiry saying that he did not have faith in the police investigation which had given the accused an opportunity to surrender. After Siddharth's parents filed a complaint on the 26th, the governor sought an explanation from the DGP and the varsity. The varsity informed the Governor about the incident on the 28th. The suspension order states that the VC has shown indifference, contempt and gross misconduct in the discharge of duties and responsibilities and has not shown sincerity and seriousness in university affairs. There was also a failure in preventing harassment.

No one gave any indication: VC

• Dr. Sashindranath said that not a single student gave any indication of cruelty
• This may be due to the fear of future consequences

(Report to Governor before suspension)

Not ragging but murder: Governor

• It is a mystery that the authorities did not know about the 3-day brutal incident when the senior officials of the university were on the campus.
• The postmortem report states that it was not ragging but murder.

Governor empowered to act

1. The Governor, who is also the Chancellor, suspended the VC for dereliction of duty, as the appointing authority.
2. The Chancellor is empowered to suspend and dismiss any officer in an emergency under the Varsity Act. He also has the power to announce a judicial inquiry
3. There are Supreme Court and High Court orders that the appointing authority has authority

"The governor took action because he is a man with spine. Satisfied with it

-Jayaprakash, Siddharth's father

"The action of the governor issuing the suspension is not welcome. We disagree with this. The problem was between the students in the varsity. Dean only failed to inform the family of the death

- Minister J. Chinchu Rani