THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CBI will file an appeal in the Supreme Court against the High Court’s acquittal of all accused, including K. Jithakumar, who was sentenced to death in the Udayakumar custodial death case. The High Court acquitted the police officer accused, stating that the CBI's investigation was conducted without following due procedures and was fundamentally flawed in both investigation and prosecution. The CBI will file an appeal, arguing that only technical lapses were involved and that the accused had admitted their guilt in the trial court.

The appeal will be initiated by the CBI’s Thiruvananthapuram Special Crime Unit and forwarded to the CBI headquarters. After scrutiny by the CBI’s Prosecution Director, the file will be sent to the Union Ministry of Personnel and then to the Solicitor General. Once central approval is received, the appeal will be filed in the Supreme Court within 90 days. Given the high-profile nature of the case and the High Court’s sharp criticism of the CBI investigation, the appeal process is expected to be expedited.