The Kerala High Court has temporarily suspended the trial proceedings in the notorious 2016 Puttingal Devi Temple fireworks tragedy case, following objections raised by the former Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) against his removal. This decision came after KP Jabbar, the former SPP, challenged the State’s decision to replace him, prompting Justice G Girish to order a stay of the trial until September 14. The case, officially titled KP Jabbar v. State of Kerala & ors, involves the tragic fireworks explosion at the Puttingal Devi Temple in Paravur, Kollam, which resulted in over 100 fatalities and numerous injuries.
Background and Legal Proceedings
The trial, currently pending before the Special Court (Additional Sessions Court-II) in Kollam, saw Jabbar representing the prosecution until his replacement by advocate G Subhadevan. Unhappy with this mid-trial change, Jabbar moved the High Court to contest the State’s decision.
During the hearing on September 7, the State government requested additional time to justify the SPP’s replacement and to submit relevant documentation for the court’s review. Additionally, the newly appointed SPP, G Subhadevan, who is listed as the third respondent in the case, also requested time to prepare a counter affidavit. Consequently, Justice G Girish has scheduled the next hearing for September 14 and maintained the stay on the trial proceedings until that date.
Details of the Tragedy
The legal proceedings stem from a catastrophic fireworks display at the Puttingal Devi Temple in April 2016, which was part of the temple’s festival celebrations. The explosion resulted in significant loss of life and numerous injuries, making it one of the most devastating firework accidents in the region’s history.
Legal Representation
Leading the legal challenge for Jabbar are senior counsel K Gopalakrishna Kurup, along with advocates P Narayanan and Athul Tom. Meanwhile, the newly appointed SPP, Subhadevan, is represented by advocates Johnson Gomez and Sanjay Johnson. The case continues to draw significant attention due to its tragic nature and the legal implications surrounding the appointment of the Special Public Prosecutor.
