Thiruvananthapuram: The trial in the 2019 road accident death case of Siraj journalist K.M. Basheer witnessed a significant development on Monday after an autorickshaw driver testified before a Kerala court that 2013 batch IAS officer Sriram Venkataraman was allegedly driving the vehicle that fatally struck the journalist and appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.
The testimony came before the Additional District and Sessions Court, Thiruvananthapuram, where the trial against the senior IAS officer is currently underway. Meanwhile, Basheer’s wife has approached the Kerala High Court challenging the transfer of the trial to another sessions court and seeking the appointment of a more experienced public prosecutor.
Witness Says Car Was Being Driven at High Speed
The fifth witness in the case, Manikandan, an autorickshaw driver, told the court that he saw the vehicle involved in the accident moving at a dangerously high speed shortly before it hit Basheer.
According to his testimony, the car was navigating the Vellayambalam roundabout recklessly, prompting him to stop his autorickshaw out of concern. He said the vehicle overtook his autorickshaw and sped towards the Public Office area before the accident occurred.
Manikandan identified Sriram Venkataraman as the person driving the car. He further told the court that after the accident, when the officer stepped out of the vehicle, he realised that the accused was allegedly under the influence of alcohol.
Sriram Venkataraman is the sole accused in the case relating to the death of journalist K.M. Basheer, who died in the early hours of August 3, 2019, after his motorcycle was hit by the car allegedly driven by the IAS officer.
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Several Witnesses Yet to Depose
The prosecution informed the court that summons could not be served on the second, third and fourth witnesses as they are currently residing abroad.
The case is expected to continue with the examination of additional witnesses in the coming hearings.
Basheer’s Wife Challenges Trial Transfer
In a parallel legal development, Jaseela C., wife of the deceased journalist, has moved the Kerala High Court seeking to quash the order transferring the trial from the Additional District and Sessions Court-I to the Additional District and Sessions Court-IV in Thiruvananthapuram.
According to the petition, the District and Sessions Judge ordered the transfer after the senior counsel appearing for the accused reportedly expressed difficulty in climbing the stairs to Court-I because the building does not have a lift.
Jaseela has questioned the rationale behind the transfer, arguing that the convenience of the defence counsel should not outweigh the interests of justice in a case involving a senior serving IAS officer.
Seeks Appointment of Senior Prosecutor
The petition also raises concerns over the prosecution’s ability to effectively conduct the trial.
Jaseela submitted that the prosecutor currently handling the case was appointed only in 2023 and lacks sufficient experience to conduct a sessions trial involving nearly 100 witnesses and a large volume of documentary evidence.
She has requested the High Court to direct the Kerala Government to appoint a senior public prosecutor with proven experience, contending that such an appointment is necessary to ensure a fair trial.
Concern Over Fair Trial
In her plea, Jaseela argued that the accused continues to serve as an IAS officer and remains an influential public servant.
She contended that unless an experienced prosecutor is appointed and the trial proceeds under appropriate safeguards, the proceedings could be reduced to “a mere farce,” undermining public confidence in the justice delivery system.
The Kerala High Court is expected to consider her petition while the criminal trial against Sriram Venkataraman continues before the sessions court.
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