Kannur, 20 April (H.S.): Two faculty members of Ancharakandi Dental College, booked for abetment of suicide in connection with the death of student Nithin Raj, have reportedly fled Kerala, police said on Monday.

Investigators said Dr. M. K. Ram, former Head of the Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, is believed to be in Andhra Pradesh. The second accused, Dr. Sangeetha Nambiar, is also suspected to have left the state. Efforts are underway to trace both individuals.

Nithin Raj died on April 10 after allegedly jumping from a college building, triggering protests and calls for a detailed investigation. Based on preliminary findings, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) registered a case on April 12 against the two professors, charging them with abetment of suicide and caste-based harassment.

Dr. Ram, who had been suspended following the incident, was dismissed from service on April 16. Despite ten days having passed since the student’s death, police have not yet managed to arrest the accused.

The family of Nithin Raj has alleged that investigators are attempting to divert attention by linking the case to harassment by a loan app, rather than focusing on the role of the college authorities. Police, however, said all possible angles are being examined.

In a parallel development, three employees of a loan app accused of threatening the student have been arrested. Their custody plea is scheduled to be considered by the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court on Monday.

Meanwhile, the accused professors have approached the Kannur District Sessions Court seeking anticipatory bail. Their petitions are slated to be heard on April 22.

The case has sparked widespread concern, with investigators continuing efforts to locate the accused and establish the circumstances leading to the student’s death.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman