'Lawlessness in Pookode Univ'; Judicial Commission probe about Siddharthan death case

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The report from the retired High Court Justice A. Hariprasad Commission appointed by the Governor blamed former VC M.R.Saseendranath and hostel Dean Dr. Narayanan for dereliction of duty, and said they could not escape from taking responsibility for the death of J. S. Siddharth in Pookode Veterinary College.

The students informed the assistant warden that Siddharth was attacked on February 16 and 17. However, no action was taken to investigate or take Siddharth to the hospital. There is chaos and mismanagement in the varsity. Immediate corrections are required. The report was submitted to the Governor.

Report:

The Vice-Chancellor has seriously neglected his duties. Although present on campus on the day of the incident, he failed to gauge the seriousness of the case. VC stood idle without taking action, despite two ragging cases reported in the college. Some of the faculties in the college were also aware of the ragging.

Dean failed to perform his duties as warden. Assistant Warders were put in charge of the hostels. Dean rarely visited the men’s hostel nor he attempted to ensure discipline in the hostel. The warden who came to the hostel after Siddharth's death did not act wisely. The warden very well knew about Siddharth’s death even before he reached the hostel. Police were not informed immediately about the incident.

The assistant warden had requested CCTV in the hostel but the VC cared less about it. After Siddharth's death, Dean gave continuous reports to VC. There is no record of such communication taking place before.

• The brutality faced by Siddharth was not related to student politics

• Siddharth was attacked not because of political differences with SFI

• Some of the accused are SFI members. Others have no political affiliation