The Kerala government took action on Tuesday by suspending three employees from the Home Department for alleged delays in providing documents and details to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) regarding the investigation into the recent death of a veterinary student.
Anju, serving as an assistant, Bindhu V K, a section officer, and Prasantha V K, deputy secretary, were suspended by Home Secretary Bishwanath Sinha, citing “dereliction and unresponsiveness” in their duties.
The move comes in the wake of criticism from opposition parties, including Congress and BJP, along with the deceased student’s family, who accused the government of deliberately stalling the CBI probe by withholding necessary files and potentially tampering with evidence.
The 20-year-old student was discovered hanging in the college hostel bathroom in Wayanad district on February 18. Allegations surfaced that he was subjected to ragging by fellow students, including activists of CPI (M)’s student wing, SFI.
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Following widespread outcry, the state government announced its decision to transfer the case to the CBI on March 9. However, it was only on March 26 that the required documents were submitted to the central agency.
The suspension order highlighted the delay of 17 days in sending the necessary details to the competent authority in the Government of India, emphasizing the lack of diligence and proper action by the officials involved.
The suspended officials will remain under suspension pending further investigation.
Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the NDA candidate for the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat, expressed commitment to expedite the launch of the CBI investigation into the student’s death, offering reassurance to the grieving family.
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