'Faced abuse based on colour and caste'; HOD, professor suspended over death of dental college student in Kannur

KANNUR: Two teachers were suspended in the death of a medical student who ended his life after jumping from a college building in Kannur. RL Nithin Raj (23), a first-year BDS student of Anjarakandy Dental College, Kannur and a native of Thiruvananthapuram, died in the incident. Head of the Dental Anatomy Department, Dr M. K. Ram, and Associate Professor Dr Sangeetha have been suspended in the incident.

Nithin's relatives alleged that he faced constant abuse by teachers based on his skin colour, caste and financial status. This is said to have left him mentally debilitated. The faculty also carried a grudge after Nithin filed a complaint against the HOD. Nithin's father alleged that Dr M. K. Ram had misbehaved with his son. However, the college principal said that no complaint was received in this regard.

The incident took place at 1.45 pm yesterday. College authorities said that a child who came to the hospital noticed Nithin Raj lying on a red-paved area between the reception section of the medical college hospital and the building where the college library is located. The hospital's attendant staff immediately took him to the emergency department, but his life could not be saved.

Nithin Raj, a student of the 2025 batch, took admission in the college last November. He is the son of Rajan and Latha. Rajan is a painter in Thiruvananthapuram. Nithin leaves behind two sisters.