Siddharth's death: High Court grants conditional bail to 19 accused

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Friday granted conditional bail to the 19 students who were arrested in connection with the death of JS Siddharth, a second-year student of the Pookode Veterinary University. Although the CBI argued that witness statements were crucial in Siddharth's death and that the accused were likely to influence the witnesses if they were granted bail, the court dismissed these arguments.

The court granted bail to the accused on the condition that they should not enter the Wayanad district or leave the state until the case is over. The court also directed the accused to surrender their passports. The accused filed a bail plea stating that the final report in the case had been submitted and that further custody was not required. The accused also pointed out that they were students and should be allowed to continue their studies. The CBI had stated in its final report that Siddharth was subjected to cruel ragging and brutal physical torture.

Siddharth was found hanging in the bathroom of the hostel on February 18. On February 15, he had gone to Kozhikode Railway Station to return home. On that night, two students of the college called him and asked him to return to the hostel. Siddharth returned to the hostel at around 8 am on February 16. The torture began that night.