Kerala High Court Sets 4-Month Deadline for Abhimanyu Murder Trial

The Kerala High Court has directed the District and Sessions Court in Ernakulam to complete the trial in the Abhimanyu murder case within four months. Justice Kauser Edappagath issued the directive while considering a petition filed by Bhoopathi, the mother of the deceased, seeking expedited proceedings in the long-pending case.

In her petition, Bhoopathi stated that the High Court had earlier, on January 24, 2025, ordered the sessions court to dispose of the case within nine months. The timeline was subsequently extended by three months in October 2025 upon a request from the trial court. The latest directive sets a fresh deadline to ensure the case concludes without further delay.

Abhimanyu, a student, was stabbed to death on the campus of Maharaja's College in Ernakulam in 2018. The police alleged that members of the Campus Front of India and the Popular Front of India were responsible for the attack. The accused, however, have pleaded not guilty and are currently standing trial.

The case involves 16 accused persons, seven eyewitnesses, and 50 witnesses who are yet to be examined. The charges against the accused include murder, causing hurt with dangerous weapons, criminal intimidation, destruction of evidence, rioting, and unlawful assembly. The chargesheet was filed by the police in September 2018.

The trial has faced multiple delays, attributed to the time taken by the accused to file their statements, the production of absconding accused, and the reconstruction of missing court records. The High Court had earlier ordered the reconstruction of crucial documents, including the chargesheet, post-mortem examination report, and witness statements, which were found missing from the court's custody.

The court's latest directive underscores the judiciary's concern over the prolonged pendency of the case. Legal experts note that timely resolution of criminal trials is essential for justice, both for the victims and the accused. The four-month deadline is likely to bring clarity and finality to a case that has remained unresolved for over seven years.

The High Court also instructed the trial court to give priority to the case and avoid unnecessary adjournments. The directive is in line with the constitutional guarantee of a speedy trial under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which applies to both the accused and the victims of crime.

Bhoopathi, in her plea, had expressed that the prolonged delay has caused immense suffering for the family, which continues to wait for justice. She also noted that the case had witnessed several procedural hurdles, including the disappearance of court records and the failure to produce some accused persons.

The next hearing is expected to take place in the coming weeks, with all parties directed to cooperate with the trial court to ensure compliance with the High Court's order. The case has drawn public attention due to its nature and the involvement of student organisations, but the judiciary's focus remains on a fair and expeditious trial, in accordance with the law and without prejudice to any party.