Kerala HC extends stay on trial in journalist K.M. Basheer’s death

The Kerala High Court has extended the stay on the trial of Sriram Venkitaraman, Director of the Department of Agricultural Development and Farmers’ Welfare, in connection with the death of journalist K.M. Basheer, till November 27.

Justice C Jayachandran extended the stay on trial proceedings before the Thiruvananthapuram Additional District Sessions Court. The High Court sought an explanation from the State as to why the trial case was not permitted to be prosecuted by the prosecutor of the court, and why a prosecutor from a different court was assigned.

The petition, filed by C. Jaseela, the widow of Mr. Basheer had pointed out that the State had initially notified that a special public prosecutor would be appointed in the trial. However, the State had informed the court that a special prosecutor was not required to replace the prosecutor who was then handling the case. Ms. Jaseela had sought the appointment of a senior public prosecutor, skilled at handling trials of a large magnitude.

Mr. Basheer had been killed in a rash driving incident where Mr. Venkitaraman was arrayed as the prime accused.