Judge Accused of Accepting Bribe at Kerala University Festival Found Dead at Home

A judge accused of accepting bribes during the recently suspended Kerala University youth festival was discovered dead at his residence in Kannur, Kerala. The deceased, identified as PN Shaji, 51, is suspected to have consumed poison, according to police reports.

Shaji was found dead on Wednesday evening at his home near Thazhe Chovva, located close to Kannur South railway station. Police stated that he had locked himself in a room after breakfast the day before, informing his family that he would not be having lunch and asking not to be disturbed. He was later found dead.

The Kerala University youth festival had been plagued by controversies and was eventually suspended by the Vice Chancellor. Several judges were accused of accepting bribes during the competition, with University union members submitting WhatsApp messages as evidence.

Subsequently, Shaji and two trainers were detained by the Cantonment Police at the festival venue. They were later released, but Shaji received a notice from the police to appear at the station the next day.

Shaji’s body is currently in the Kannur district hospital mortuary, and the Kannur City police stated that the cause of death can only be determined after a postmortem examination. A suicide note was discovered in Shaji’s room, stating, “I am innocent. I have not done anything wrong.”

Shaji worked as a dance teacher and is survived by his parents and his wife, Shamna.