The post-mortem report of J.S. Sidharthan, a student allegedly murdered by SFI leaders of the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Pookode of Wayanad district in Kerala on February 18, reveals shocking details about the torture he endured before death. Sidharthan, a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry student in the college, was discovered dead in the hostel bathroom. Recently, the youth's parents came forward, asserting that he had endured days of brutal torture, including starvation, purportedly inflicted by his hostel mates because he had danced with some female students on Valentine's Day.
According to the post-mortem report, Sidharthan suffered at least 18 sets of contusions or abrasions on his body. The report, prepared by the assistant surgeon and medical officer in-charge of the forensic unit at Govt Taluk Head Quarters Hospital, Bathery, indicates that Sidharthan sustained "multiple blunt injuries, including a tramline contusion of approximately 2-3 days old on the body, suggestive of assault." The tramline contusion discovered on the body measured "15x15x8cm, bluish and oblique, with an area of paleness ranging from 0.5 to 1.5cm in width in between. It was located on the right side of the back of the trunk, its lower inner extent in the midline, and 22cm below the root of the neck."
On February 24, 12 students, including College Union president K. Arun and SFI unit secretary Amal Ehsan, were suspended from the college in connection with the death of Sidharthan. The action followed the release of an anti-ragging committee report implicating these students. Among the 12 students suspended, four belonged to the same batch as Sidharthan, while the rest were his seniors. The first accused in the case, K. Akhil, was arrested by the police from Palakkad on Thursday.
According to the family of the deceased student, the SFI leaders had conducted a public trial against Sidharthan. They also alleged that following his death, the local police and college authorities attempted to derail the case. They claimed that it was the post-mortem report prepared by the police surgeon that played a crucial role in preventing this.
Meanwhile, in what appears to be an attempt at tarnishing the image of Sidharthan, a complaint has been filed against him with the college, claiming that he misbehaved with a girl student. The complaint was filed a day after the body of Sidharthan was discovered. The complaint was transferred to the internal complaints committee of the college on February 20.
