SFI Activist Abhimanyu Murder Case: Kerala High Court Refuses To Halt Trial Till Completion Of Probe Against Harbouring Accused
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (July 14) dismissed the plea preferred by 5 persons accused of the murder of SFI leader Abhimanyu, seeking to stay the trial pending before the Sessions Court, Ernakulam. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 372]
Abhimanyu was stabbed to death in 2018 during a campus political rivalry at Maharaja's College in Ernakulam. Presently, trial is pending before the Sessions Court against 16 accused (Accused Nos. 1 to 16) whereas investigation is ongoing against 10 accused (Accused Nos. 17 to 26).
Justice G. Girish refused to halt the trial against the 16 accused.
It rejected the petitioners' contention that pendency of investigation against the other accused would prejudice the trial against the former.
"By no stretch of imagination could it be said that the continuance of the trial against the accused Nos.1 to 16 at a time when the investigation against accused Nos.17 to 26 is in progress, would cause prejudice to accused Nos.1 to 16. The demand of the petitioners herein to keep the trial...in abeyance pending the completion of the investigation against accused Nos.17 to 26, can only be considered as an attempt to procrastinate the trial in the said case," the Court observed.
The Court added that the accusation made against the 16 accused leaves no room for ambiguity since the specific case is that they hatched the conspiracy and attacked and murdered the victim whereas the others are only accused of harbouring the former accused.
The prosecution case was that the afore 16 accused, who were activists of student organisation Campus Front, hatched a conspiracy to unleash terror and violence so as to facilitate their entry into the college campus. The allegation was that the accused intended to oppress SFI by physical violence so as to avoid impediments to their entry. It is further alleged that the accused came to campus armed with weapons like knife, punching block, wooden rod, etc. and thereafter, stabbed the victim.
The prosecution has also roped in accused Nos. 17 to 26 for harbouring the afore 16 accused, who actively participated in the crime. It is alleged that these accused Nos. 17 to 26 helped the main accused to abscond. In the final report filed against the 16 accused, it is stated that a separate final report would be filed against accused 17 to 26.
While so, the mother of the victim had approached the High Court in another plea alleging that the trial against the 16 accused was being protracted and thereafter, a direction was issued to the Sessions Court to expedite and complete trial.
In another plea filed by two of the accused against whom final report is pending, the High Court had directed that investigation be expedited and final report be submitted.
Case No: W.P.(Crl.) No. 983/2026
Case Title: Muhammed J.I. and Ors. v. State of Kerala and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 372
Counsel for the petitioners: E.A.Haris, M.A. Ahammad Saheer, Muhammed Yasil, Aagi Johny, Ifra Iqbal
Counsel for the respondents: K.S. Arun Kumar, Deepa Varma K., Vijay Sankar V.H., Amrutha K.P., Jerin Joseph, Sameer S. - Public Prosecutor