Kerala high court noted that it can’t cancel or issue a stay on the bail granted to IAS officer Sriram Venkitaraman, who is the main accused in the death of journalist Basheer
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala high court on Tuesday upheld the bail granted to IAS officer Sriram Venkitaraman, accused in the case regarding the death of a Kerala journalist. The deceased was identified as 35-year-old Basheer, who was working as Thiruvananthapuram unit chief of Siraj newspaper. Basheer was survived by wife Jaseela and children Janna and Asmi.
Also read: Kerala journalist death case: Court grants IAS officer Sriram Venkitaraman bail
The high court said it can't cancel or issue a stay on his bail. The court also rejected the plea filed by the state government challenging the bail order. The court added that there is no need to question the IAS officer in police custody. Venkitaraman was granted bail on Wednesday by the magistrate court in Thiruvananthapuram.
The court granted him bail, as the police failed to provide sufficient proof with respect to alcohol consumption and speed driving. On Monday, Venkitaraman was discharged from the medical college hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. Doctors have advised him four weeks rest too.
Venkitaraman had grabbed headlines for his hard work and diligence with respect to his job. Venkitaraman was strictly against encroachments and had reclaimed some of the properties, and the government was upset with this. This led to his transfer, but there were reports that he was assigned a new role as part of the promotion.
Also read: Kerala journalist death case: IAS officer remanded in judicial custody
The government had faced criticisms for transferring the sub collector, who took stern action again encroachments in Munnar. Following this, the government, including the chief minister, said that he was promoted and transferred and it was not part of any revenge.
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