The trial in the Abhimanyu murder case by the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court will begin with the examination of witnesses by the prosecution on October 15.

The court on Friday set the schedule of the trial in the wake of the Kerala High Court order earlier this month to complete the trial within four months on a petition by Abhimanyu’s mother Bhoopathy. On the first day, the first two witnesses will be examined. The examination of all 156 witnesses will continue without break, except on holidays and will be wrapped up in 18 days by November 12.

Principal Sessions Judge K. K. Balakrishnan is considering the case. All 16 accused had pleaded not guilty when charges were read out. They face charges of murder, causing hurt with dangerous weapons, criminal intimidation, destruction of evidence, rioting, and unlawful assembly.

Abhimanyu, a second-year B.Sc. Chemistry student and SFI unit secretary at Maharaja’s College, was allegedly fatally stabbed on July 2, 2018, during clashes between activists of the SFI and the Campus Front, the student wing of the Popular Front of India (PFI), reportedly following disputes over graffiti. His murder triggered widespread protests and reignited debate over political violence on college campuses. Although the police filed the chargesheet in September 2018, the trial was delayed due to a host of factors.

Published - August 21, 2026 08:00 pm IST