Rahul seeks CBI inquiry into death of veterinary student

MP writes letter to CM demanding probe. Terming Sidharthan’s death an 'institutional murder,' he says systematic attempts to stifle voices have turned certain student bodies into violent mobs

Congress leader and Member of Parliament from Wayanad Rahul Gandhi has written to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan demanding an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the death of Sidharthan J.S., student of the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at Pookkode, Wayanad, who was allegedly tortured at the college hostel by students of the college.

In his letter, Mr. Gandhi termed Sidharthan’s death as “institutional murder”. Sidharthan’s tragic death after days of gruesome torture had shocked the collective conscience of all. The bloodcurdling details emerging about the inhumane torture that he underwent was a reminder that the failure of an institution tasked to protect students could result in a grave tragedy, he said.

“The perpetrators of this crime are active members of the Students Federation of India [SFI] and we are collectively paying a huge price for the shocking culture of campus violence in Kerala. The blanket impunity enjoyed by certain elements have only served to embolden them. The systematic attempts to stifle voices have turned certain student bodies into violent mobs,” said Mr. Gandhi.

The university administration as well as the law enforcement agencies sought to shield the perpetrators instead of bringing them to book and that deliberate ploy to cover up the case should be condemned unequivocally, he added.

‘Deserves justice’

Sidharthan was a young student with a bright future. His parents Jayaprakash and Sheeba deserve justice. No parent should have to live with the trauma and pain of having their young son’s life extinguished, wrote the MP.

The manner in which the arrests were made only after widespread public outrage has shaken people’s faith that there will be an impartial investigation. Furthermore, doubts have been cast on the contents of the police remand report. The Kerala government had a moral duty to act impartially, he said.

S. MAHINSHA Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala joins fasting leaders Jebi Mather, MP; Youth Congress State president Rahul Mamkootathil; and KSU president Aloshious Xavier in demanding a CBI inquiry into the death of Sidharthan J.S., a veterinary student, in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday.