Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Kerala High Court Stays Trial in Basheer Death Case
A court in Kerala has paused the trial of IAS officer Sriram Venkitaraman.
The trial concerns the 2019 death of journalist K.M. Basheer in a road accident.
Basheer’s widow, Jaseela, asked the government to appoint a special lawyer for the case.
The government first said it planned to appoint advocate A. Santosh Kumar.
Later, it decided not to make that appointment.
Jaseela challenged that change in the High Court.
The High Court has temporarily stopped the trial and asked to see the government’s records.
The court will look at the issue again on October 27.
The Kerala High Court stayed further trial proceedings against IAS officer Sriram Venkitaraman.
Journalist K.M. Basheer died in August 2019 after a car allegedly driven by Venkitaraman hit his motorcycle in Thiruvananthapuram.
Basheer’s widow, Jaseela, challenged the government’s refusal to appoint a Special Public Prosecutor.
The government had earlier indicated it would appoint advocate A. Santosh Kumar, but later rejected the request on September 17.
The High Court called for government records and will reconsider the matter on October 27.
- Who
- IAS officer Sriram Venkitaraman is facing trial; journalist K.M. Basheer’s widow, Jaseela, filed the plea challenging the government’s decision.
- What
- The Kerala High Court stayed further proceedings in the road-accident death trial and sought records concerning the refusal to appoint a Special Public Prosecutor.
- When
- The stay was issued on Thursday; the case will be considered again on October 27. Basheer died in August 2019, and the trial began on August 1 this year.
- Where
- The accident occurred near Museum Junction in Thiruvananthapuram, and the trial is being held before the Additional Sessions Court-IV there.
- Why
- Jaseela challenged the government’s decision not to appoint advocate A. Santosh Kumar as Special Public Prosecutor after the government had earlier indicated it would do so.
Jaseela’s Position
State Government’s Position
Appointment of Special Public Prosecutor
Jaseela’s Position
Jaseela says the government should appoint advocate A. Santosh Kumar and argues that its refusal reversed an earlier position communicated to the High Court.
State Government’s Position
The government ultimately rejected the request to appoint a Special Public Prosecutor through an order issued on September 17.
Effect on the trial
Jaseela’s Position
Jaseela’s challenge seeks to halt the existing proceedings while the appointment issue is reviewed.
State Government’s Position
The trial had begun on August 1 and was proceeding before the Additional Sessions Court-IV, but the High Court’s latest order has now put further proceedings on hold.
- Accused
- Senior IAS officer Sriram Venkitaraman
- Deceased
- Journalist K.M. Basheer
- Accident date
- August 2019
- Trial court
- Additional Sessions Court-IV, Thiruvananthapuram
- Charges
- Rash and negligent driving, causing death by negligence, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Government decision
- Request to appoint A. Santosh Kumar as Special Public Prosecutor was rejected on September 17
- Next hearing
- October 27