Pranav B Prem

The Kerala High Court, on friday, has directed the Principal Sessions Court, Ernakulam, to expedite the trial in the murder case of Abhimanyu, a Students' Federation of India (SFI) activist who was stabbed to death in 2018 during a campus political rivalry at Maharajas College in Ernakulam. The trial has been pending for over six years, prompting the court to instruct its completion within nine months.

Case Background

The murder of Abhimanyu occurred during a campus political rivalry between members of the SFI and the Campus Front, reportedly sparked by a dispute over poster placement in the college. The deceased and four others, who sustained injuries during the incident, were allegedly attacked by a group of students affiliated with the Campus Front. The case was registered under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including Sections 143, 147, 341, 323, 324, 326, 307, 302, 506(ii), 201, 120(B) read with Section 149. The charge sheet, originally filed in the Judicial Magistrate of First Class-II, Ernakulam, was later transferred to the Principal Sessions Court, where the case remains pending.

Court's Observations

Justice Kauser Edappagath, presiding over the matter, observed the significant delay in the trial process. While disposing of the petition filed by Bhoopathi, the father of one of the injured students, the court stated: “Having heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and considering the report, this original petition is disposed of with a direction to the learned Sessions Judge, to dispose of S.C.No. 1068 of 2018 within a period of nine months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment.” Previously, the court had sought a report from the Sessions Judge, who confirmed that the trial could be concluded within the specified timeline.

Petitioner’s Plea

The plea, filed by Abhimanyu's mother, highlighted the prolonged delay in the trial proceedings, stating that justice was being denied to the family due to the lack of progress. Advocates Devika K.R. and K.S. Arun Kumar represented the petitioner, while the State was represented by Public Prosecutor M.P. Prasanth and Advocates E.A. Haris, Muhammad Ajeesh P.B., M.A. Ahammad Saheer, Muhammed Yasil, and Fathima Sherin.

Cause Title: Bhoopathi v State of Kerala

Case No: OP(CRL.) NO. 920 OF 2024

Date: January-24-2025

Bench: Justice Kauser Edappagath

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