Thalassery, October 26, 2026: A Sessions Court in Thalassery, Kerala, has rejected the anticipatory bail applications of Dr. Vinod Mony, principal of a dental college, and Dr. Latha Sasidharan, an associate professor, who are accused in connection with the death of dental student Nithin Raj.
Special Judge/Sessions Judge Manoj M. dismissed the joint bail application, observing that the allegations disclosed a prima facie case of abetment of suicide. The court held that Section 3(2)(v) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was attracted at this stage and that the statutory bar under Sections 18 and 18A prevented the grant of anticipatory bail.
Allegations Against the Accused
According to the prosecution, Nithin Raj was allegedly subjected to humiliation, threats and harassment by college staff. The case concerns events on April 10, 2026, after the student was questioned in the principal's office over repeated calls allegedly made by representatives of an online loan application.
The prosecution alleges that Dr. Mony threatened the student with expulsion, while Dr. Latha allegedly scolded him and threatened to slap him. It is further alleged that the incident caused severe mental distress and was connected to the student's death.
The prosecution also relied on CCTV footage from the principal's office, which it said showed the accused shouting at the student and threatening expulsion. These allegations remain subject to adjudication.
Arguments of the Accused
The accused denied wrongdoing and argued that they had been implicated because of public pressure and extensive media coverage. They contended that their actions did not demonstrate an intention to cause the student's death and that the principal was entitled to seek an explanation in the circumstances.
They also disputed having knowledge of the student's Scheduled Caste status. The court considered the rival submissions, including those made on behalf of the deceased student's father.
Why the Court Denied Anticipatory Bail
The court observed that, although the prosecution did not allege a direct act of instigation in the conventional sense, it alleged that the questioning and scolding immediately preceded the student's suicide. At this preliminary stage, the court found an alleged live link between the accused persons' conduct and the death.
On that basis, the court held that a prima facie case existed for the purposes of the relevant provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. It concluded that the statutory restriction under Sections 18 and 18A applied and dismissed the anticipatory bail application.
Legal Significance
The order highlights the operation of statutory restrictions on anticipatory bail under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act where the court finds a prima facie case attracting the Act's provisions. It also illustrates the importance of the alleged connection between conduct attributed to an accused and the circumstances surrounding a death in an abetment-of-suicide investigation.
The decision concerns pre-arrest bail and does not determine the guilt of the accused. The allegations must be tested through the applicable criminal process.
Case: Dr. Vinod Mony and Another v. State
Case number: BA No. 1025/2026
Court: Sessions Court, Thalassery, Kerala
Source: LiveLaw, October 26, 2026.