Centre issues notification for CBI probe into death of Siddharth

KOCHI: As per the instructions of the High Court, the Centre on Friday night announced a CBI investigation into the death of Pookode Veterinary University student Siddharth.

On Friday, Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas said on the plea of T Jayaprakash, father of Siddharth, that the CBI should immediately take over the investigation into the death of his son that the delay in the investigation would be an advantage for the criminals. Jayaprakash pointed out that the Deputy Chief Secretary had issued an order on March 9 for a CBI probe based on the complaint to the Chief Minister, but the documents were delayed.

Considering the seriousness of the crime and grave consequences, the state government handed over the investigation to the CBI, but the court held that the files were delayed due to unknown reasons. The court also said that it is clear from the post-mortem report that Siddharth was brutally beaten as part of ragging. The state government said that the files of the case were handed over to the CBI on March 26 and action was taken against the officials who caused the delay. The plea will be heard again on Tuesday.