All Suspects Apprehended in Case of Veterinary Student’s Death

Authorities have successfully captured all 18 individuals involved in the tragic death of J.S. Siddharth, a second-year student studying Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry at the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Pookode, Wayanad. Siddharth was discovered deceased in the hostel’s bathroom on the university campus on February 18.

Seven suspects were arrested over the weekend, each identified as follows: J. Ajay, 24, from Adoor; A. Althaf, 21, from Paravoor, Kollam; V. Adithyan, 20, from Puthiyottukara in Kozhikode; E.K. Saud Rizal, 21, from Edathola Kurikkal, Malappuram; Sinjo Johnson, 22, from Odanavattom, Kollam; Muhammed Danish, 23, from Edavanna, Malappuram; and R.S. Kashinath from Kizhakkumbhagam in Kollam.

Ajay was apprehended in Bengaluru, while Althaf was taken into custody from a relative’s residence in Kollam. Sinjo Johnson, Adithyan, Saud Rizal, and Danish were all captured in Kalpetta. Kashinathan voluntarily surrendered to the investigating team. District Police Chief T. Narayanan established a dedicated task force, headed by Deputy Superintendent of Police T.N. Sajeevan, to oversee the investigation.

Protest March and Alleged Police Apathy

Simultaneously, a protest march organised by the District Congress Committee (DCC) proceeded towards the university headquarters at Pookode, criticising what they perceived as police negligence in apprehending all the suspects. The demonstrators were met by law enforcement personnel at the entrance to the university campus.