The Kerala High Court admitted the criminal appeal filed by Dr. M. Kodanda Ram, Head of Department of Dental Anatomy at Kannur Dental College, seeking anticipatory bail in the FIR alleging abetment of suicide of dental student Nithin Raj.
Kerala High Court Issues Notice In Criminal Appeal
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday, May 5, issued notice on the criminal appeal filed by Dr. M. Kodanda Ram, who is arrayed as the prime accused in the suicide abetment case concerning dental college student Nithin Raj.
The appeal challenges the order of the Sessions Court, Thalassery, which had dismissed Dr. Ram’s bail application while granting pre-arrest bail to the second accused, Dr. Sangeetha Nambiar.
Vacation Bench Admits Appeal
When the matter came up for consideration, the vacation Bench of Justice P.V. Balakrishnan admitted the appeal and issued notice to the parties.
The Public Prosecutor accepted notice on behalf of the State and the Station House Officer.
Notice has also been issued to the de facto complainant, who is Nithin Raj’s mother.
Accused Were Faculty Members At Kannur Dental College
Dr. M. Kodanda Ram is the Head of Department of Dental Anatomy at Kannur Dental College, where Nithin Raj was enrolled.
Dr. Nambiar Sangeetha is a professor at the same college.
Prosecution Alleges Mental Harassment
According to the prosecution, Nithin Raj died by suicide due to constant mental harassment allegedly caused by Dr. Ram.
It is further alleged that Dr. Ram humiliated the deceased student in front of his classmates, despite knowing that he belonged to the Scheduled Caste community.
Offences Invoked Against Dr. Ram
The offences alleged against Dr. Ram are under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(2)(v) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
High Court Had Earlier Taken Suo Motu Note Of Hartal Violence
Recently, the Kerala High Court had initiated a suo motu case over incidents of violence reported during the hartal called in connection with Nithin Raj’s death.
Counsel For Appellant
The appeal has been moved by Advocates S. Rajeev, V. Vinay, M.S. Aneer, Anilkumar C.R., Sarath K.P., Dipa V., K.S. Kiran Krishnan, Akash Cherian Thomas, Azad Sunil, T.P. Aravind, Maheswar Padickal, Akshara S. and Nivedita Rajeev.
Case Details
Case Title:
Dr. M. Kodanda Ram v. State and Ors.
Case Number:
Crl.A 609/2026
