The bail granted to all 17 accused, including Akash Thillankery, in the S.P. Shuhaib murder case has been cancelled by the Thalassery Additional District Court-III. Judge Ruby K. Joseph also ordered that the accused be remanded to judicial custody.

The trial in the politically sensitive case began in the Thalassery court last Monday. The examination of the first witness was completed, but dramatic developments unfolded during the examination of the second witness. The defence counsel alleged that the examination of the first witness had not been conducted properly and raised objections before the court. However, the court rejected the plea.

Following this, the defence counsel declined to cross-examine the witnesses, stating that they had approached the High Court seeking a transfer of the case and would not cooperate with the trial proceedings. The prosecution then sought cancellation of the bail granted to the accused, arguing that the defence was attempting to delay the trial. Accepting the prosecution’s contention, the court cancelled the bail of all 17 accused. The police have initiated steps to take them into custody.

S.P. Shuhaib, a native of Edayannur who was serving as the Mattannur block secretary of the Youth Congress, was murdered on February 12, 2018.