Abimanyu murder case: trial court dismisses accused’s plea for in-camera proceedings
An Ernakulam court has dismissed a plea by the accused in the Abhimanyu murder case to hold proceedings in-camera. The court ruled that the case does not meet the legal criteria for closed-door trials, and the public trial is scheduled to proceed as planned.
Why it matters
This decision reinforces the principle of open justice in the Indian legal system, ensuring that high-profile criminal trials remain transparent to the public.
The Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court on Tuesday (September 22, 2026) dismissed the petition moved by the accused in the Abhimanyu murder case seeking in-camera trial proceedings, which are scheduled to commence on October 15.
Principal Sessions Judge K.K. Balakrishnan, who reserved the order on the plea on September 15, dismissed it on the ground that it was not a fit case for in-camera trial.
The petition, moved by the accused last week, was strongly opposed by the prosecution. It was argued that in-camera proceedings are typically reserved for sexual assault victims and cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, and that murder accused cannot claim such a privilege.
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