K M Basheer’s Wife Moves Kerala High Court Against Transfer of Trial Court

Kochi: C Jaseela, the wife of journalist K M Basheer, who was killed after being hit by a car, has approached the Kerala High Court challenging the transfer of the trial in the case to another court.

The case was transferred from the First Additional Sessions Court in Thiruvananthapuram, where the trial was originally scheduled to be held, to the Fourth Additional Sessions Court following a request by the defence counsel.

Jaseela alleged that the transfer amounted to a denial of justice and was not legally valid. She has sought the cancellation of the Sessions Court’s order transferring the case. The accused in the case, including Sriram Venkitaraman, have been named as respondents in the petition.

The petition also raised concerns that the trial may not be conducted fairly before the Fourth Additional Sessions Court. The case was transferred after the defence counsel cited health-related reasons.

Jaseela further stated that the present prosecutor did not have sufficient experience in handling the case and sought a direction to the state government to appoint a special public prosecutor.

The Kerala High Court is scheduled to consider the petition on Tuesday.