Kochi, 01 Oct (H.S.): The Kerala High Court has temporarily stayed trial proceedings against IAS officer Sriram Venkitaraman in the case relating to the death of journalist K.M. Basheer, following a petition challenging the State government’s refusal to appoint a special public prosecutor.

Justice G. Girish, who considered the petition filed by Basheer’s wife, C. Jaseela, sought an explanation from the government for reversing its earlier assurance to the court that a special prosecutor would be appointed.

The court directed the government to clarify why it had declined to make the appointment despite having committed to doing so. Further proceedings in the criminal case have been put on hold while the issue is examined.

The dispute centres on the government’s decision not to appoint advocate A. Santhosh Kumar as special public prosecutor to conduct the prosecution in the case. Basheer was killed after being hit by a vehicle, and Venkitaraman faces criminal trial in connection with his death.

In August, the government had informed the High Court that Santhosh Kumar would be appointed to the post. That assurance formed the basis of an earlier order suspending the trial until the notification confirming his appointment was issued.

On August 18, Justice C.S. Dias directed that the trial remain suspended pending the notification and granted the government one month to complete the appointment process.

However, on September 17, a day before the deadline set by the court was due to expire, the government issued an order stating that it would not appoint a special public prosecutor.

Jaseela subsequently challenged that decision before the High Court, questioning the government’s refusal to proceed with the appointment it had assured the court would be made.

The latest intervention brings the government’s change of position under judicial scrutiny, with the court seeking clarification on the reasons for departing from its earlier undertaking.

The appointment issue has become the immediate focus of the proceedings, while the criminal trial against Venkitaraman remains temporarily suspended under the High Court’s direction.

The stay is an interim measure arising from Jaseela’s challenge to the prosecutor appointment decision. The government has been asked to explain its position so that the court can consider the dispute over the appointment and the circumstances in which the earlier assurance was withdrawn through the September 17 order.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman