Siddharth death case: Kerala CM Meets Deceased Family, Assures CBI Probe

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of Kerala assured the family of J.S. Siddharth, a second year BVSC student who was found hanging in his hostel room at the College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences in Pookode on February 18, of a CBI probe into the incident. After a meeting with Siddharth's family on Saturday, Jayaprakash, Siddharth's father, conveyed that the Chief Minister had attentively listened to their concerns and agreed to their request for a CBI investigation.

“The CM categorically told us that he will do the needful to direct a CBI probe into the matter. We want a CBI probe to ensure that all those involved in brutally ‘killing’ my son are brought to the book. Such an incident should never occur again,” said Jayaprakash. Wayanad Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi had previously written to CM Vijayan on Wednesday, urging a CBI probe into Siddharth's death.

“There are still two more students who brutally assaulted my son, but due to their influence, they are still not arraigned as accused. These two names are there in the report of the anti-ragging squad, but surprisingly they have been excluded in the police probe,” Jayaprakash stated.

In connection with the case, 18 individuals have been arrested, and the Vice Chancellor, Dean, and Assistant Warden of the institute have been suspended. Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan also wrote to the Kerala High Court, seeking a probe by a sitting or retired judge of the high court or the apex court. The case was raised by an ally of the ruling CPI-M led Left during its leaders' meeting chaired by CM Vijayan. Leaders of the RJD, an ally of the Left, urged the CPI-M to control their student organization, SFI, whose activists are under scrutiny for Siddharth's 'death'.