Open court stays open in the Abhimanyu murder case: the Kerala High Court has turned down the accused’s plea for an in-camera trial, while barring anyone from photographing or video-recording the trial or the accused inside the courtroom.
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Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday declined the accused’s request for an in-camera trial in the murder case of SFI activist Abhimanyu. The trial court has been told to make sure that nobody photographs or video-records the proceedings or the accused in the courtroom [Abhimanyu murder case].
The plea was declined by Justice C.S. Dias. The prosecution had opposed it, and the Principal Sessions Court at Ernakulam had earlier rejected the same request.
Closed doors refused, cameras barred
The Court found no extraordinary circumstances that would justify a trial behind closed doors. It did, however, direct the trial court, working with the police, to see that photography and video-recording of the trial and of the accused inside the courtroom are not permitted.
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The accused’s three requests
They sought a closed-door trial, a bar on photography and a restriction on students gathering at the court premises. Their argument was that images circulated during the trial could harm their future prospects even if they are ultimately acquitted.
The underlying case
Abhimanyu, a student leader of the Students’ Federation of India, was fatally stabbed on July 2, 2018 near Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam. The prosecution alleges murder and attempted murder. These are allegations only: the charges are untested, the High Court has expressed no view on the merits, and every accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The trial is scheduled to begin on October 15, 2026.
Publicity against open trials
Open court remains the rule, and closed-door trials are kept for exceptional cases. The order also shows how courts weigh an accused’s concern about publicity and the circulation of images against the public nature of criminal trials, here through a targeted bar on photography rather than closing the court.
Case Title: Abhimanyu murder case, in-camera trial plea by accused
Bench: Justice C.S. Dias, Kerala High Court
Date of Order: October 7, 2026