Only Rs 14,000 availed? Nithin Raj's sister rejects threat by loan app

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM/KOCHI: Nikita Raj, the sister of Nithin Raj, the BDS student who died at the Kannur Dental College hostel, rejected the arguments that threats from a loan app were a major reason behind the death of her brother. She said Nithin had not availed lakhs of rupees as loan.

Nikita told reporters that the family will not allow the investigation into the death to be diverted by the issue of a loan taken from an app. She said that the loan was not taken in the name of the teacher and that no huge amount was involved.

She countered the view that the threats by a recovery agent belonging to a loan app could be one of the reasons behind Nithin's death. Police said that the teacher, Latha, received many calls from loan app recovery agents and that the issue was discussed with the principal. It is said that Nithin called the loan agency staff and requested them not to disturb the teacher. He has reportedly taken Rs 14,000 loan and repaid Rs 1,000. However, there was pressure to repay Rs 18,000 in a month.

Meanwhile, the Congress party that has promised to build a house for the family handed over a cheque of Rs 5 lakh to the family on Tuesday. Nithin's family members are living in a rented house. Former minister and UDF candidate in Aruvikkara V S Sivakumar handed over the cheque to the family.

Opposition leader V D Satheesan said that the rest of the amount will be handed over when construction begins. He visited the family on Monday and demanded that a high-level investigation should be conducted and the culprits should be brought before the law.

Nithin Raj, a native of Nedumangad, reportedly died by suicide following caste-based harassment by teachers at the dental college in Anjarakandy.

Slap murder charges on all responsible: Forum

Meanwhile, All Foreign Medical Doctors and Parents Association (AFMDPA) has demanded that those responsible for the death of Nithin Raj be booked on charges of murder as sustained harassment led to his suicide.

In a statement, the association alleged that Nithin was subjected to continuous mental and physical harassment, including caste-based abuse, which drove him to take the extreme step. AFMDPA also criticised the college management, claiming that even fellow students were prevented from attending the funeral rites, calling it an injustice to the bereaved family.

The association also demanded that the college management should pay compensation to the victim's family. AFMDPA urged the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the state govt to conduct a comprehensive inspection across all medical colleges in Kerala. It also called for the constitution of a dedicated commission to hear student grievances and ensure strict action against those found guilty, including college authorities.