Kochi: Accused Campus Front and Popular Front activists in the Abhimanyu murder case appeared before the trial court. The accused had previously failed to turn up despite two explicit directions from the court to appear in person. They finally presented themselves after the trial court issued a stern warning of strict action upon continued non-appearance. All 16 accused were present in court.
The court read out the newly invoked charges to the accused. However, all the accused denied the charges and pleaded not guilty. The court adjourned the case to Monday for further proceedings and scheduled the trial to commence on the 17th of this month.
Abhimanyu was stabbed to death on July 2, 2018, following a dispute over campus wall graffiti. The case had earlier courted a major controversy after crucial documents went missing from court custody. The trial proceedings were resumed after recreating the missing documents using certified copies.
Abhimanyu’s parents had previously moved the Kerala High Court against the prolonged delay in the trial proceedings. Following their petition, the High Court had directed the lower court to complete the trial proceedings within nine months.
For more details: Navamalayalam.com