Kerala High Court Faults Police for Arrest Protocol Violation in Professor's Case
The Kerala High Court has found that the police failed to provide the grounds of arrest to Dr. M.K. Ram, a former professor and head of department at Kannur Dental College, when he was produced before a Special Judge last week. Dr. Ram is the prime accused in the death of first-year student Nithin Raj, who died by suicide in February 2025.
Justice A. Badharudeen, presiding over a single bench, noted that the written grounds of arrest—mandated by Supreme Court guidelines—were not furnished to Dr. Ram. This procedural lapse led to his release by the Special Court in Thalassery. A report from the Additional Director General of Police, submitted on Friday, confirmed the failure.
The court summoned the Crime Branch Deputy Superintendent of Police and the Superintendent of Police to appear in person and explain the sequence of events. During the hearing, the judge orally questioned the DySP, who has 22 years of service, on why he ignored the requirements despite his experience. The court also expressed displeasure at the SP for not ensuring adherence to arrest protocols in a case described as “an important matter concerning the State.”
Dr. Ram has been charged with abetment to suicide and offences under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. He was denied bail at all levels—from the Special Court, Thalassery, to the Supreme Court. The court was considering a petition from Nithin Raj’s father, who alleged he was not heard when Dr. Ram sought anticipatory bail before the Supreme Court. Instead of submitting to legal process, Dr. Ram had absconded, the petition claimed.
Dr. Ram surrendered to the Crime Branch on Wednesday after the Special Court permitted his re-arrest. The Home Department had reconstituted the investigation team earlier after the High Court raised concerns about the conduct of the previous investigating officer. The case is now being investigated by Malappuram Crime Branch SP M.P. Mohanachandran, with DySP Jeevan George as the new investigating officer.
The court has sought a compliance report on the arrest protocols and will continue monitoring the case.
