The Kerala High Court on Thursday stayed further trial proceedings against IAS officer Sriram Venkitaraman in the 2019 road accident death case of journalist K.M. Basheer. The court also asked the Kerala government to produce records linked to the appointment of a Special Public Prosecutor in the case.Key HighlightsKerala HC stayed the trial against Sriram Venkitaraman.The case relates to journalist K.M. Basheer’s death in 2019.Basheer’s widow Jaseela sought a Special Public Prosecutor.The court has asked the government to provide related records.Court Seeks Government RecordsThe order came after a petition filed by Jaseela C, the wife of K.M. Basheer. She had asked the court to appoint advocate A. Santhosh Kumar as a Special Public Prosecutor for the trial. The petition challenged the government’s later decision not to go ahead with the appointment.The High Court had earlier recorded the government’s decision in principle to appoint a Special Public Prosecutor. The trial was then deferred for one month while the formal appointment was expected. However, the government later decided not to proceed with the appointment.Case Linked to 2019 Road AccidentK.M. Basheer, a journalist with Malayalam daily Siraj, died after being hit by a car near Museum Junction in Thiruvananthapuram on August 3, 2019. Sriram Venkitaraman was in the vehicle at the time. He is facing trial over allegations linked to rash and negligent driving and the circumstances of the accident.The trial began in August 2026, several years after Basheer’s death. The case is being heard before a sessions court in Thiruvananthapuram.Next Hearing on October 27The High Court has called for records related to the government’s decision on the Special Public Prosecutor. The case has been posted for further consideration on October 27, 2026. The prosecutor has also been directed to obtain instructions in the meantime.“The Court proceeded to stay the trial proceedings as well for now.”The stay pauses further trial proceedings while the High Court examines the issue related to the prosecution arrangement.Also Read : CMRL-Exalogic Case: Kerala HC Reserves Verdict on FIR Plea Against Pinarayi Vijayan and Others
