Kerala High Court refuses to shift Shuhaib murder trial out of Thalassery sessions court

29 September 2026

Justice C.S. Dias of the Kerala High Court on 29 September 2026 dismissed a petition seeking transfer of the Shuhaib murder trial from the Additional Sessions Judge-III, Thalassery.
The petition was filed by Akash M.V. and others under Section 447 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, in Tr.P(Crl.) 38/2026 and Crl.MC 4292/2026.
The petitioners had sought the transfer citing a reasonable apprehension that they would not get a fair and impartial trial before that court.
Justice Dias directed the trial court to give the accused a full and effective opportunity to participate, including by suo motu reopening the evidence and permitting cross-examination of witnesses.
The court also directed that the proceedings be expedited, as the case arose from the death of Youth Congress activist Shuhaib at Mattanur in Kannur district on 12 February 2018.
The order is reported as 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 534.