Siddharth's death: VC resigns following Governor's instruction; landed in trouble by reinstating 33 students

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Pookode Veterinary University interim vice chancellor Dr PC Saseendran, who reinstated 33 students who were under suspension in connection with the death of veterinary student J Siddharth, has resigned from his post. Dr PC Saseendran stepped down as the vice chancellor after the Governor's Additional Chief Secretary Dr. Devendra Kumar Dhodawat contacted him over the phone on the instructions of the Governor and told him that he must either submit his resignation or be ready to face action such as suspension or expulsion. Saseendran sent his resignation letter to the Raj Bhavan as an e-mail after implementing Governor Arif Mohammed Khan's strict instructions to withdraw the process of reinstating the suspended students.

The news about the vice chancellor's decision to reinstate the suspended students came out yesterday. Siddharth's father reacted strongly against this and complained about this to the Governor. The Governor then sought an explanation from the VC after stating that the action of reinstating 33 suspended students by recording them as innocent while the police investigation was going on was beyond the jurisdiction of the VC. He also gave instructions to cancel the VC's order reinstating the students. By noon, the varsity informed the Raj Bhavan that the order had been revoked and the Governor's directive had been implemented. The charge of VC will be handed over to the senior professor.

Saseendran was given the charge of interim VC on March 2 after former VC MR Saseendranath was suspended in connection with the death of Siddharth. He remained in the post of VC only for 23 days.

31 students have been expelled from the college. Apart from this, another 90 students have been suspended. Dr Saseendran reinstated 33 students among them. It is alleged that there is political pressure and influence behind the overturning of the punitive action taken by the anti-ragging committee.

High Court stays suspension of two people
Out of 33 students suspended from the varsity, 31 are first-year students, while the rest two are fourth-year students Amaresh Bali and Ajith Aravindakshan. On Monday, the High Court issued a stay on the suspension they received in connection with a ragging case registered in the previous year.

Justice A Hariprasad for judicial inquiry
The Governor will soon appoint a committee headed by retired High Court Judge A. Hariprasad for a judicial inquiry into Siddharth's death. A. Hariprasad was selected from the panel of 23 retired judges provided by the High Court. A retired police officer from Wayanad will also be included in the committee. The government will be directed to provide office, staff and vehicles to the committee.