HC asks govt. to take decision on plea to appoint special public prosecutor in Shuhaib case

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday directed the State government to consider and take a decision in six weeks on a representation seeking to appoint a special public prosecutor in a case relating to the murder of Shuhaib, a Youth Congress leader from Kannur.

Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan, while disposing of a writ petition filed by the parents of Shuhaib, also ordered deferring of the trial in the case pending before the Thalassery Additional Sessions Judge till the government takes a decision on the representation filed by the parents.

Shuhaib, 29, was hacked to death in Mattannur, Kannur, on February 12, 2018. The case was earlier investigated by a Special Investigation Team. The High Court later ordered an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the case on a writ petition moved by the parents. They had alleged that the investigation at the very inception was shabby and lackadaisical as the accused were Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] workers. The Supreme Court recently dismissed an appeal filed by the government against the High Court’s verdict for a CBI probe in the case.

Associated with CPI(M)

In their petition seeking to appoint Padmanabhan, a lawyer from Hosdurg, as the special public prosecutor, the parents said that the present public prosecutor in charge of the case was closely associated with the CPI(M). He may not be able to prosecute the case in an impartial and effective manner without any fear as the accused are ardent activists of the CPI(M). It is essential to appoint a special public prosecutor of the petitioners’ choice to ensure a free and fair trial and instil confidence in the minds of the petitioner, they contended.

Published - June 04, 2025 07:47 pm IST