The Kerala High Court has extended its stay on the trial involving senior IAS officer Sriram Venkitaraman in the fatal 2019 road crash that killed journalist K.M. Basheer, halting proceedings until November 27.
Justice C. Jayachandran ordered the continuation of the freeze on proceedings currently before the Thiruvananthapuram Additional District Sessions Court, as reported by The Hindu's judicial coverage. Alongside extending the stay, the bench directed the State government to furnish an explanation regarding its contentious choice of legal representation in the sessions court.
Scrutiny Over Prosecutor Selection
The High Court demanded that state authorities clarify why the regular prosecutor attached to the trial court was not permitted to lead the prosecution, and why an external prosecutor from a different court was instead assigned to the case.
The intervention follows a plea moved by C. Jaseela, the widow of the late journalist. In her petition, Jaseela raised concerns over shifting government stances regarding trial oversight. The State had initially notified that a special public prosecutor would be designated to handle the high-profile trial. However, the administration later walked back that commitment, informing the court that a special prosecutor was unnecessary to replace the advocate then managing the case.
Jaseela has formally petitioned the judiciary for the appointment of an experienced, senior public prosecutor equipped to navigate complex legal proceedings of this scale, expressing concern that procedural irregularities could compromise the search for justice.
Paused High — verified documentary press visual.
Background of the Proceedings
K.M. Basheer, who served as the Thiruvananthapuram bureau chief of the Malayalam daily *Siraj*, died after his motorcycle was struck by an alleged speeding car in August 2019. Sriram Venkitaraman, an Indian Administrative Service officer currently serving as the Director of the Department of Agricultural Development and Farmers’ Welfare, remains arrayed as the prime accused in the rash driving case.
With the trial held in abeyance through November 27, the State government must submit its official response justifying its prosecutorial arrangements before the High Court determines whether to lift the freeze or direct the appointment of a special prosecutor.
| Case Element | Status / Bench Detail | Practical Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Trial Court | Additional District Sessions Court, Thiruvananthapuram | Proceedings completely paused under HC order |
| High Court Bench | Justice C. Jayachandran | Demanded State explain prosecutor reassignment |
| Next Interim Deadline | November 27 | Trial remains frozen pending state explanations |
| Petitioner Demands | C. Jaseela (Widow of K.M. Basheer) | Seeks dedicated senior special public prosecutor |
