Nithin Raj’s death: Accused Kerala dental college teachers seek anticipatory bail; loan app booked

KANNUR: The two teachers of Kannur Dental College, Anjarakkandy, who were booked on charges of abetment to suicide and caste-based harassment in the death of BDS student Nithin Raj, on Friday moved the Thalassery sessions court seeking anticipatory bail. Head of dental anatomy department Dr M K Ram and associate professor Dr Sangeetha Nambiar, who remain absconding, claimed in their bail petition that they had no role in the student's death. The accused stated that Nithin committed suicide due to threats from a loan app. Dr Ram argued that he was not present in the principal's room on the day of the incident. The court posted the bail plea for hearing on April 22. Though the accused sought interim protection from the arrest till then, the court rejected the request following strong opposition from public prosecutor Advocate Ajith Kumar K. The accused moved the court amid the mounting public outrage and students' protest seeking action against the teachers. Meanwhile, Chakkarakkal police on Friday registered a case against the loan app Insta Pay for allegedly harassing Nithin after lending money at a high interest rate to him. As per the FIR, Nithin received a loan of Rs 15,000 from the app at an interest rate exceeding 36%. People associated with the app repeatedly contacted him allegedly threatening him over recovery of the loan amount with interest. The case has been registered under Section 308 (extortion) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Section 13 (penalty for the harassment of debtors) of Kerala Money Lenders Act, sections 9(1)(a) and 9(2) of Kerala Prohibition of Charging Exorbitant Interest Act. Police said that investigation is underway in connection with the case and mobile call data records (CDR) of Nithin revealed that the loan agency had called the student multiple times. Nithin was found dead on April 10 after allegedly jumping from a building on the campus. His family had raised allegations against Dr Ram, including caste-based harassment.