Cadet found dead in Naval Academy

Kannur: A cadet at the Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala, died after two cardiac arrests at Pariyaram Medical College Hospital early Thursday morning.

The deceased has been identified as Gudeppa Sooraj, 26, of first term INA course.

According to the INA, the cadet was found in an unconscious and unresponsive state on the floor of the Academic wing by a duty sailor instructor on Wednesday at 5.30 pm.

Though immediately shifted to ICU of Indian Naval Hospital Navjivani and administered IV fluid resuscitation, his condition remained critical. He was later moved to the PMCH along with a medical specialist and medical assistants.

The cadet developed cardiac arrest twice at the hospital, and all efforts to revive him failed and was declared dead by 2.30 am. Meanwhile, his relatives alleged that he was killed by the INA officials and lodged a complaint with Payyannur Police Station. Sanoj, the brother of Sooraj, said he was suffering mental and physical torture during the training.

Sooraj, who joined the INA as a sailor in 2010 later cleared officer’s examination in 2013 and was undergoing training. However, he was withdrawn from the Academy following alleged exam malpractices. However, the cadet gained favourable verdict from the Kerala High Court which directed the INA to take him back and four months back he joined the institution for training again.
From that period, Mt Sanoj said, he was suffering torture.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, INA public relations officer said that the cadet who was found guilty by the Court for exam malpractices was allowed to continue study considering his young age and the time period he was out of the Academy.

“However he was again caught during an exam held on Wednesday which was reported by the invigilator. He was found unconscious after this incident,” he said.
Sooraj is the son of a former navy sailor Gudeppa Ramana and Pushpalatha from Tirur, Malappuram.