Wayanad: The Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU) has accorded temporary admission to all 16 accused in the suicide case of J S Sidharthan (20) at the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (CVAS), Mannuthy, Thrissur, starting from February 3.

Sidharthan, a second-year student of the Bachelor in Veterinary and Animal Sciences course, died by suicide after enduring prolonged physical torture by senior students. The interim order, issued on Friday, aligns with the High Court directive instructing KVASU to grant temporary admission to the accused.

The students include Kashinadan R S, Ameen Akbar Ali, Arun K, Saud Risal E K, Althaf A, Adithyan V, Muhammed Dhanish M, Rehan Benoy, Sinjo Johnson, Asif Khan N, Amal Ihsan, Akash S D, Ajay J, Abhishek S, Billgate Joshua Thannikkode, and Dones Daie.

Authorities expelled the students under the UGC regulations to prevent ragging in higher educational institutions. The expulsion also barred them from enrolling in any other institution for three years and participating in academic activities at the college.

The readmission at Mannuthy comes with conditions, including a prohibition on staying in the hostel. The Directorate of Academics and Research issued the order on a provisional basis, subject to the final High Court verdict. The university’s anti-ragging committee must also hear the accused students and submit a final report to the court. The students had failed to appear before the committee earlier as they had gone into hiding after the incident.

Sidharthan, a native of Nedumangad, near Thiruvananthapuram, was found hanging in the hostel toilet on February 18. His post-mortem report confirmed that he had suffered severe physical torture before his death. Sidharthan's family alleged that members of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) had murdered him and staged his suicide. All the accused in the case were SFI leaders.