The Kerala High Court on Friday overturned the lower court’s decision to dismiss the murder allegation against IAS official Sriram Venkitaraman in the case involving the death of journalist KM Basheer.
It has been on hold for two months, according to the court. In a 2019 drunk driving case, Venkitaraman and another person were charged with murdering a journalist.
In response to an appeal the Kerala government filed against the ruling of the lower court, the Single Bench of Justice Ziyad Rahman AA granted the interim order.
The Kerala Government argued in their appeal that the IAS official would face a murder charge.
The Thiruvananthapuram District Sessions Court’s ruling to dismiss the murder case was challenged by the state government.
After reviewing the discharge petitions of IAS officer Sriram Venkitaraman and co-accused Wafa Firoz, who was travelling with him on August 3, 2019, when the accident occurred, the sessions court dismissed the murder charges.
The offence under Section 304 of the IPC, which carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence and is not subject to bail, has been dismissed by the Sessions Court. In addition, both of the accused are charged with violating Sections 184, 185, and 188 of the Motor Vehicle Act as well as IPC Sections 304 A (causing death by negligence) and 279 (rash and negligent driving).
The victim in this case was KM Basheer, the bureau chief of a Malayalam newspaper, who was killed after his motorcycle was allegedly struck by the IAS officer’s nighttime automobile. After work, the journalist was en route to his house.
The Kerala Government withdrew the IAS officer from the position of Alappuzha District Collector a few months ago after the posting came under fire. He currently holds the position of general manager at Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation Limited.
