KALPETTA: Akhil, the main accused in the case related to the death of J S Siddharth, a student of the Pookode Veterinary University campus, has been arrested. He was taken into police custody from Palakkad. He is a PG student in the college. Meanwhile, Siddharth's family is standing firm on the allegation that their son was killed and his body was hanged by the culprits. The family also said that the real criminals, including the SFI unit in charge, have not been named accused in the case.

Akhil was arrested by the police team led by Kalpetta DYSP TN Sajeev yesterday morning from Palakkad. He is a native of Aamayoorkotta in Pattambi. Akhil is the first of the 12 people to be suspended following the incident. The police said that Siddharth was beaten up by the gang led by Akhil.

Nedumangad native Siddharth (21), a second-year BVSV student, was found hanging in the bathroom of the hostel on February 18. Six people were arrested on Wednesday. 11 more people are to be arrested. The investigation team concluded that the accused people were hiding in Kerala itself. Some are seeking anticipatory bail.

Siddharth was brutally beaten in the middle of 130 students in the hostel yard. There is no CCTV in the hostel. Police believe that some of the students may have recorded the footage. Efforts are also being made to collect footage in this way. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister directed the DGP to form a special team for the investigation.

• On the 16th night, Siddharth was stripped naked and subjected to a brutal beating in the middle of the college hostel. The accused physically assaulted him for three hours. He was kicked in the stomach and punched in the chest. They even beat him with two belts.
• After the beating, the gang locked him up in the room. They also threatened other students not to reveal the brutal harassment faced by Siddharth. They tortured him the next day as well.
• Sports Day was going on at the university on the 16th and 17th. Siddharth was mentally broken after being beaten up in front of his friends. On the morning of the 18th, he entered the bathroom saying that he wanted to take a bath. He was later found hanging in the bathroom