Kerala dental student death probe handed to State Crime Branch

Thiruvananthapuram, April 29 Kerala Police Chief Ravada A. Chandrasekhar on Wednesday handed over the investigation into the death of BDS student Nithin Raj at the Kannur Dental College in Ancharakandi to the State Crime Branch, significantly widening the scope of the probe.

The order was issued by the State Police Chief following a recommendation from the Kannur City Police Commissioner Nidhinraj P, amid mounting concerns over allegations of academic harassment and digital loan app threats.

Nithin Raj, a student of the Kannur Dental College, died by suicide on April 10 after jumping from the college building, triggering widespread outrage and demands for an impartial investigation.

The deceased student's family has alleged that he had been subjected to sustained mental harassment by the Head of the Department, identified as M.K. Ram, claims that have now become central to the Crime Branch inquiry.

Two faculty members, Ram and Sangeetha Nambiar, have been named as accused in the case.

Both were initially suspended by the college management, with M.K. Ram subsequently dismissed as the controversy escalated.

Authorities are expected to examine internal communications, academic records, and testimonies to establish whether there was institutional failure or coercion.

While Ram has been absconding after a local court refused him anticipatory bail, Nambiar secured bail and appeared before the police team.

Adding a complex digital dimension to the case, the cyber police have already arrested three individuals linked to illegal loan app operations accused of threatening both the student and a faculty member.

The arrested have been identified as Rishikesh Tiwari from Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad, Prashant Kheval from Uttar Pradesh, and Prakash Jay from Faridabad.

With the Crime Branch now taking over, investigators are expected to probe the possible link between academic pressure and external financial threats, as well as the broader regulatory gaps surrounding predatory loan apps.

The case has once again raised serious questions about student safety, institutional accountability, and the growing menace of digital harassment in Kerala's higher education sector.

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