Kerala High Court Expedites Trial In SFI Worker Abhimanyu's Murder Case, Directs Completion Of Trial Within Nine Months

Justice Kauser Edappagath ordered thus, “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 Principal Sessions Court, Ernakulam and it was reported to the Court that the case would be disposed of within a period of nine months.

As per the prosecution case, Abhimanyu was stabbed to death by a group of students belonging to a religiously motivated group called 'Campus Front'. It is stated that Abhimanyu was attacked due to the political rivalry between SFI activists and Campus Front activists, on a dispute regarding the placement of some posters in the college. Four other students were also attacked along with the deceased and they sustained fatal injuries.

Crime was registered under sections 143, 147, 341, 323, 324, 326, 307, 302, 506(ii), 201, 120(B) r/w 149 of IPC and the charge sheet was initially laid before the Judicial Magistrate of First Class-II, Ernakulam. The case was later committed to the Principal Sessions Court, Ernakulam and is pending now.

Counsel for Petitioner: Advocates Devika K R, K S Arun Kumar

Counsel for Respondents: Public Prosecutor M P Prasanth, Advocates E.A.Haris, Muhammad Ajeesh P.B., M.A.Ahammad Saheer, Muhammed Yasil, Fathima Sherin

Case Title: Bhoopathi v State of Kerala

Case No: OP(CRL.) NO. 920 OF 2024

Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 60

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