The Prestige Educational Trust, which manages Anjarakkandy Dental College in Kannur, has rejected claims that caste-based discrimination and harassment contributed to the death of first-year BDS student R L Nithin Raj.
In a detailed statement, the Trust described these allegations as “completely baseless” and stated that the incident was related to a personal loan taken by the student. The Trust explained that Nithin jumped from the top of the medical college building on April 10, shortly after discussions in the principal’s office regarding harassment faced by a faculty member from a loan application.
The staff member in question had been receiving repeated calls and messages because her number was listed as a reference for Nithin’s loan. Initially, Nithin told authorities that the loan had been taken on behalf of a relative named Ashokan, but he later denied providing the faculty member’s number as a reference. Efforts to contact Ashokan were unsuccessful as his phone was switched off.
“As the harassment continued, the faculty member decided to approach the cyber cell. While a complaint was being drafted, Nithin left the room and later fell from the building,” the management said.
Nithin, a native of Uzhamalackal in Thiruvananthapuram, was found critically injured near the medical college block and later died of his injuries.
Earlier, police registered a case against two faculty members, Dr M K Ram and KT Sangeetha Nambiar, on charges of abetment of suicide and offences under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act following allegations of caste- and colour-based harassment.
The college management denied any institutional role in the incident, stating that Nithin had not raised complaints against any teacher, staff member or the college during his time on campus. It also dismissed claims of caste discrimination as unfounded, noting that neither family members nor classmates had informed the institution of such concerns.
Referring to allegations against a faculty member, the statement mentioned an audio clip suggesting that Nithin had confronted the teacher previously and had stopped attending the class nearly a month before the incident. Feedback from students indicated the teacher had treated all students equally over the years, with no prior official complaints.
The management added that Nithin had faced personal issues earlier, during which the college extended support by contacting his parents and recommending counselling. “His father had given written assurance that counselling would be arranged. Faculty members later stayed in touch and facilitated his return to campus,” the statement said.
All relevant materials, including CCTV footage, previous statements, academic records and documents, have been handed over to police, who are conducting the investigation. Footage covering the period from when Nithin was called to the office to the moments before the incident has also been submitted.
Meanwhile, the Chakkarakkal police have registered a separate case against the loan app ‘Insta Pay’ for allegedly charging exorbitant interest and harassing Nithin, resulting in the arrest of three people from Uttar Pradesh.
The Trust also refuted reports claiming that the institution operates on illegally acquired land, stating no court or authority has issued such orders. It said these reports caused unnecessary concern among students, parents and staff.
The management added that it has faced intense scrutiny following the incident and claimed misunderstandings among Nithin’s family members had prevented it from visiting his home. The Trust appealed for restraint and urged the public not to spread what it termed unfounded allegations, warning that such claims could create division in society.