The Kerala High Court has issued notice to the state government regarding a bail plea filed by Sreeshthsha, a fellow student accused in the death of Jishnu Pranoy, a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) student at TD Medical College, Alappuzha. Jishnu was found dead in his hostel room in January 2016, and the case initially alleged it was a result of ragging and custodial torture.
Sreeshthsha, implicated in the case after a recent investigation based on a statement from another accused, Amal Jith, seeks bail arguing he was falsely implicated. He contends the new investigation is a deliberate attempt to prolong the case and harass him. His plea highlights that he has been cooperating with the investigation for years and was previously cleared of charges.
The prosecution opposes the bail, citing the seriousness of the offences and the potential for influencing witnesses. They argue that Amal Jith’s statement directly implicates Sreeshthsha in the alleged crime.
The court, while issuing notice, directed the government to file a counter-affidavit within two weeks. Justice K. Harilal is hearing the case.
The original case saw several twists and turns, including initial closure reports and subsequent reinvestigations following protests by Jishnu’s family alleging foul play. The family maintained Jishnu was subjected to severe harassment and torture by college authorities and fellow students due to his academic performance.
Amal Jith’s recent statement, given after being in custody for a different case, led to the reopening of the investigation and the implication of Sreeshthsha. Sreeshthsha’s bail plea emphasizes the delay in the case, his consistent cooperation, and the lack of concrete evidence against him, claiming the current action is motivated by ulterior motives. The court will consider the government’s response before deciding on the bail application.
