Kerala High Court pauses trial over journalist’s 2019 death

The Kerala High Court has stayed the trial into the death of journalist K.M. Basheer in a 2019 road accident allegedly involving IAS officer Sriram Venkitaraman. Basheer was killed after a car allegedly driven by Venkitaraman struck his two-wheeler in Thiruvananthapuram.

Venkitaraman has been charged under the Indian Penal Code and the Motor Vehicles Act with culpable homicide, destruction of evidence and driving under the influence of alcohol. The stay followed a petition by Basheer’s wife, Jaseela, seeking the appointment of a new special prosecutor. She raised concerns about how the case was being conducted before the trial court in Thiruvananthapuram and argued that the prosecutor lacked sufficient experience for a case involving nearly 100 witnesses.

The government told the High Court on September 17 that there was no need to appoint a special prosecutor, saying there was no reason to replace the prosecutor currently handling the case. It had earlier informed the court that it had taken an in-principle decision to make such an appointment. Before approaching the High Court, Jaseela had submitted representations to the Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department and the Home Minister.

The High Court has now directed the government to produce files relating to its earlier in-principle decision. The court’s order pauses the trial while the issue concerning the prosecution arrangement is considered. The source material does not state how long the stay will remain in force or set out a new trial date.

The charges against Venkitaraman remain those previously filed in connection with the crash. The court’s action concerns the request for a new special prosecutor and the government’s differing positions on whether such an appointment is necessary.