Dr MK Ram granted bail in Nithin Raj suicide case

The Thalassery District Sessions Court has granted bail to Dr MK Ram, the primary accused in the suicide of RL Nithin Raj, a 19-year-old first-year BDS student at Anjarakandy Dental College. Principal District and Sessions Judge Manoj M granted the bail on the condition that Ram furnishes a Rs 5 lakh bond, cooperates with the ongoing investigation, and refrains from entering the college premises.

Nithin Raj died by suicide on April 10 after falling from a campus building. The prosecution alleges that Ram, a former head of the department, subjected the student to sustained mental harassment, including caste-based discrimination and humiliation. Ram faces charges under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for abetment of suicide, as well as provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The case has seen several procedural developments, including the suspension of Kannur Crime Branch DySP Sudheer Kallan following criticism from the Kerala High Court regarding lapses in the arrest process. Ram had previously surrendered on July 23 after the Thalassery SC/ST Sessions Court permitted his re-arrest. The investigation is currently being conducted by the Malappuram Crime Branch.