Court Rejects Plea for Closed-Court Trial in Abhimanyu Murder Case

Kochi: The Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court has rejected a plea filed by the accused, who are Popular Front-Campus Front activists, seeking a closed court trial in the case related to the murder of Maharaja’s College student Abhimanyu. Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court Judge K K Balakrishnan pronounced the order. The defence argued that an open trial could affect the accused's future lives and that there was a possibility of witness statements being influenced. The prosecution, however, strongly opposed the demand. Special Public Prosecutor G Mohanraj, who appeared for the prosecution, said journalists have the right to report court proceedings and that this right should not be denied under any circumstances. The prosecution also argued that the police could control college students if they came to attend the trial. It further told the court that the allegation that attempts had been made to photograph the accused who were out on bail inside the court was baseless. The accused had sought restrictions on the entry of journalists and the public into the court and demanded that photographs of them should not be taken and circulated. The court where the trial will be held is located near Maharaja’s College. The accused had also sought restrictions on the gathering of college students in the court premises. The trial is scheduled to begin on October 15. Judge K K Balakrishnan ordered the trial to proceed after rejecting all the arguments raised by the defence. There are 16 accused in the case. Abhimanyu was killed on July 2, 2018, allegedly by Popular Front and Campus Front activists. The trial is beginning eight years after the incident.