Kannur Dental College death: Crime Branch adds principal, teacher to accused list

The Crime Branch has expanded its list of accused in the death of dental student Nitin Raj, naming the principal and a faculty member of Kannur Dental College in Anjarakandy, Keralam.

Principal Dr. Vinod Moni and teacher Dr. Latha Sasidharan have been added to the accused list. Both have moved the Thalassery District and Sessions Court seeking anticipatory bail.

Dr. M.K. Ram is the first accused in the case, while another faculty member, Sangeeta Nambiar, is the second accused.

Nitin Raj, a native of Thiruvananthapuram, died on April 10 after jumping from the college building. His relatives had alleged that he was subjected to caste-based abuse by teachers, with the primary allegations directed at Dr. Ram and Sangeeta Nambiar. Both were suspended following protests.

The Crime Branch took over the investigation from the Special Investigation Team on April 30.

Dr. Ram, who had been absconding, was arrested in Kodagu, Karnataka, on July 20. The Thalassery District and Sessions Court later granted him bail on September 9, with conditions that include a direction not to enter Kannur Dental College or influence students.