The Supreme Court on Monday refused to grant relief to Dr M Kodanda Ram, a professor at Kannur Dental College accused of verbally harassing Dalit student Nithin Raj, who died by suicide in April, holding that the allegations against him warranted no interference at this stage.
The Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta dismissed Dr Ram’s appeal challenging the Kerala High Court’s refusal to grant him anticipatory bail in a case registered for abetment of suicide and offences under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
The Court sharply criticised the professor’s behaviour, calling it “inhuman” and questioning how he speaks to his students. Refusing to let him escape accountability, the Bench insisted that he face the consequences of his actions so a clear message could be sent.
Nithin Raj, a dental student in Kerala, died by suicide on April 10 after jumping from a building near the college. His family alleged that he had been subjected to caste-based harassment by members of the faculty. Based on a complaint lodged by the student’s father, the police registered a case against Dr. Ram and two other staff members.
While another accused faculty member, Dr. Sangeetha Nambiar, was granted anticipatory bail by the Sessions Court, Dr. Ram’s plea was rejected. The Kerala High Court also declined to grant him relief, prompting the present appeal before the Supreme Court.
Senior Advocate Dama Seshadri Naidu, appearing for Dr. Ram, argued that there was a gap of nearly one month between the alleged classroom incident and the student’s death. He submitted that shortly before the suicide, the student had been reprimanded by the college principal over allegations relating to a loan application, which could have been the immediate trigger for the tragic incident. He also contended that no caste-related remarks had been made, rendering the provisions of the SC/ST Act inapplicable.
The Bench, however, remained unconvinced, observing that public castigation by an educator could inflict enduring psychological trauma upon a student. Inquiring into the broader ramifications of classroom humiliation, the Court underscored that the appellant must recognize the gravity of his conduct. When counsel for the defense stressed the temporal gap between the alleged provocation and the suicide, The Bench clarified that the incident served as the tipping point.
Counsel submitted that the professor had learnt his lesson, but the Court rejected the plea, observing that the seriousness of the allegations could not be overlooked. Referring to the language allegedly used by the professor, the Bench remarked that it would not even ask counsel to read the words aloud in court.
Finding no ground to interfere with the Kerala High Court’s order, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, leaving the criminal proceedings against Dr Ram to continue.
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