SC issues notice on CBI plea in Udayakumar custodial death case

The Supreme Court of India issued notice on a CBI appeal challenging the Kerala High Court acquittal of police officials in the 2005 Udayakumar custodial death case, where earlier convictions for murder, conspiracy and torture were overturned

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice on a plea filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) challenging the acquittal of accused police officials in the sensational Udayakumar custodial death case. ​

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta sought responses on the CBI’s special leave petition (SLP) and listed the matter for further hearing on May 19, 2026. ​

---

The appeal arises from an August 2025 judgment of the Kerala High Court, which acquitted all the accused, including police personnel, citing serious lapses in the CBI’s investigation. ​

The Kerala High Court, in its impugned judgment, had examined the prosecution’s case that Udayakumar, a 28-year-old scrap worker, was taken into custody by police officials in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27, 2005, and was subjected to custodial torture leading to his death later that night. ​

According to the prosecution, Udayakumar was picked up from Sreekanteswaram Park and taken to the Fort Police Station, where he was allegedly beaten and tortured during interrogation. ​

The post-mortem had revealed severe crush injuries to his thighs, which were identified as the cause of death. ​

It was further alleged that following his death, senior police officials conspired to fabricate records and manipulate official documents to shield the accused personnel and suppress evidence of custodial violence. ​

The trial in the case had initially resulted in the conviction of several accused. Two police personnel were awarded the death penalty for murder, while senior officers were convicted for conspiracy and destruction of evidence. ​

However, the Kerala High Court overturned the convictions, citing inconsistencies in witness testimonies, issues with the credibility of approvers, and procedural irregularities in the investigation. ​

It also noted that several key witnesses had turned hostile during earlier stages of the trial, raising doubts about the prosecution’s case. ​

Nearly two decades after the incident, the case continues to see legal scrutiny, with the Supreme Court now set to examine the correctness of the Kerala High Court’s verdict acquitting all accused in the custodial death case. ​