SIT Records Statements of Nithin Raj's Parents; Family Alleges Caste Abuse Drove Son to Death by Suicide

Thiruvananthapuram: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the death of Nithin Raj, a BDS student at Anjarakkandy Dental College in Kannur, visited his family in Aryanad and recorded the statements of his parents. The team was led by Chakkarakal Circle Inspector Fakhruddin.

The parents reiterated to the SIT that caste-based humiliation and sustained psychological harassment within the campus were the root causes of their son's death by suicide. The family has also levelled a serious allegation that the 'loan app' complaint being cited in connection with the case is being used as a tool to deflect attention from the caste abuse and mental anguish that Nithin was subjected to.

Nithin's father stated that a teacher, who now claims to have received threatening calls, had never once informed the family about any such calls during his lifetime. The SC/ST Commission Chairman Rameshan Mini assured that a thorough and impartial investigation would be ensured, while Minister V Sivankutty affirmed that the government stands firmly with Nithin's family and will ensure justice is delivered.

In addition to the police probe, a special committee appointed by the Kerala University of Health Sciences has also launched a parallel investigation into the matter.

Deepening the sense of outrage, the college authorities had failed to even inform the family of Nithin's death. More troublingly, even after his mortal remains were brought to Thiruvananthapuram, neither college officials nor his classmates came forward to visit the family home — a silence that has only intensified suspicions surrounding the circumstances of his death.

The family's demand remains unequivocal: that all the facts leading to their son's death be brought to light, and that justice be served without compromise.