SFI Leader Abhimanyu Murder Case: Kerala High Court Directs Completion Of Trial Within Four Months

Justice Kauser Edappagath passed the order in a plea moved by deceased's mother, stating that the case was pending for six years and there was no progress.

The Court had earlier disposed of the plea, directing the Sessions Court to complete the trial within 9 months. The Court had further extended the time for completion of trial by three months pursuant to a letter from District and Session Judge, Ernakulam in October, 2025.

This time had expire in January, 2026 and now, 18 months have lapsed since the initial order and the trial has not yet been completed. Hence the petitioner-mother had moved an interlocutory application before the High Court to expedite the trial.

The Court thus directed the Sessions Court to complete the trial within four 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.

Notably, the Court had recently dismissed a plea preferred by 5 accused persons seeking to stay the trial pending before the Sessions Court, Ernakulam.

Case Title: Bhoopathi v State of Kerala

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

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