No one should know about harassment; Siddharth's mobile phone was in hands of accused, say police

WAYANAD: The police said the accused had seized the mobile phone of J S Siddharth, a second-year student, who committed suicide in Pookode Veterinary College. This was to prevent the student from informing his parents about the harassment. Siddharth's parents last contacted him on the phone on February 16. Several attempts were made to contact their son, but to no avail.

The next day, when Siddharth's mother called one of his classmates on the phone, he said there was nothing wrong and that Siddharth was sleeping. The police found that Siddharth's phone was in the hands of the accused all this time. The accused later handed him the phone to Siddharth and he called his mother and said that he will be coming home on February 24. Police said his parents later heard the news of his death.

Meantime, the police confirmed that Siddharth's body, which was found hanging in the bathroom of the hostel, was freed before the police reached the spot. The accused observed him the whole night as they felt that he might do something. The accused attacked him again in the afternoon on February 18 after finding him normal. When everyone went for lunch, Siddharth went to the washroom and ended his life.