Kochi: The Kerala High Court here on Wednesday issued an order staying the re-admission of 18 students booked in the suicide of JS Sidharthan, a second-year student at College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Wayanad’s Pookode. As per the case, Sidharthan died by suicide on February 18, 2024, after facing a brutal assault at the college hostel. The 18 students are facing charges, including abetment to suicide, ragging in the case. 

On December 5, 2024, a single bench of the Kerala High Court quashed the university’s order, expelling and debarring the students booked in the case. The court also allowed the students to seek re-admission at the Mannuthy campus of Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University after asking the university to conduct a fresh disciplinary inquiry against them.

However, Sidharthan’s mother filed a writ appeal before the division bench questioning the single bench’s order. While considering this appeal, division bench of Justice Amit Rawal and Justice KV Jayakumar stayed the order of the single judge.

“ Students indulging in ragging are worse than those indulging in vandalism,” said the court while issuing the order.

The HC also directed the college that the mother of the victim should be given a hearing opportunity during the fresh inquiry. 

(with Live Law inputs)