Abhimanyu murder case in Keralam: court reserves order on plea by accused for in-camera trial

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Abhimanyu, a second-year BSc Chemistry student and unit secretary of the Students Federation of India (SFI) at Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam, Keralam, was allegedly fatally stabbed on July 2, 2018, during clashes between activists of the SFI and the Campus Front, the student wing of the now-proscribed Popular Front of India (PFI), reportedly following disputes over graffiti. 

The Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court has reserved its verdict on a petition moved by the accused in the Abhimanyu murder case seeking in-camera proceedings in the trial scheduled to commence on October 15, 2026.

Principal Sessions Judge K.K. Balakrishnan is expected to deliver the judgment on September 22, 2026. The petition, moved by the accused earlier this week, was strongly opposed by the prosecution. The prosecution argued that in-camera proceedings are typically reserved for sexual assault victims and cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, and that murder accused cannot claim such a privilege.

In their plea, the accused also sought restrictions on the entry of media personnel and the public, as well as on taking their photographs. They contended that a public trial would affect their future lives and potentially influence witness testimony.

The petition further requested curbs on gathering of college students near the court premises, given its proximity to Maharaja’s College, where the victim had studied. However, the prosecution, represented by G. Mohanraj, maintained that these grounds were not legally sustainable.

On August 21, the court fixed the trial schedule in compliance with the Kerala High Court’s July 2026 directive to complete proceedings within four months, following a petition by Abhimanyu’s mother, Bhoopathy. On the opening day, the first two witnesses will be examined. The testimony of all 156 witnesses will continue without interruption, except on holidays, and is slated to conclude by November 12.

On August 13, 2026, all 16 accused appeared before the court after failing to attend the previous two hearings, drawing the court’s displeasure. At that hearing, the court read out an additional charge of voluntarily causing hurt (Section 323 of the IPC), invoked at the instance of the prosecution.

All the 16 accused had earlier pleaded not guilty when charges were initially read out on July 6, 2026. They face charges of murder, causing hurt with dangerous weapons, criminal intimidation, destruction of evidence, rioting, and unlawful assembly. The court had previously dismissed discharge petitions filed by six of the accused, ruling that sufficient grounds existed to proceed. The plea of the first accused seeking the return of the chargesheet was also rejected.

Abhimanyu, a second-year BSc Chemistry student and unit secretary of the Students Federation of India (SFI) at Maharaja’s College, was allegedly fatally stabbed on July 2, 2018, during clashes between activists of the SFI and the Campus Front, the student wing of the now-proscribed Popular Front of India (PFI), reportedly following disputes over graffiti. His murder triggered widespread protests and reignited debate over political violence on college campuses. Although the police filed the chargesheet in September 2018, the trial was delayed due to multiple factors.

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