Abhimanyu murder case: Ernakulam court to announce trial schedule on August 21
The Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court will announce the schedule for the trial in the Abhimanyu murder case on Friday, August 21, 2026. The court made this announcement during a hearing on Wednesday, where it also rejected a plea by the defence counsel to defer proceedings until Monday, August 24, to verify case documents.
The prosecution opposed the defence request, alleging that the attempt to seek additional time was a tactic to delay the trial. The court directed the prosecution to submit the relevant documents to the Chief Ministerial Officer for verification and adjourned the case to Friday for the pronouncement of the trial schedule.
The development comes after the Kerala High Court, on a petition filed by Bhoopathy, the victim's mother, directed that the trial be completed within four months. All 16 accused appeared before the court on August 12, having failed to attend the previous two hearings.
The accused had pleaded not guilty when charges were first read out on July 6, 2026. They face charges including murder, causing hurt with dangerous weapons, criminal intimidation, destruction of evidence, rioting, and unlawful assembly.
Although the police filed the chargesheet in September 2018, the trial has seen significant delays due to multiple factors. The case has been pending in the court system for several years, and the High Court's directive aims to expedite proceedings and deliver justice to the victim's family.
The court's decision to announce the schedule on Friday is being seen as a step towards ensuring a speedy trial, in line with the High Court's order. The upcoming hearing is expected to set a clear timeline for the trial, which will be closely watched by all parties involved.
