The Kerala High Court has stayed the trial in the 2016 Puttingal Devi Temple fireworks tragedy case after a challenge to the replacement of the Special Public Prosecutor handling the prosecution.
The petition was filed by advocate K.P. Jabbar, who had been conducting the prosecution before being replaced by advocate G. Subhadevan. The trial is pending before the Special Court at Kollam.
Justice G. Girish granted the State time to explain why the Special Public Prosecutor was replaced and to produce the relevant files. The newly appointed prosecutor also sought time to file a response.
"The Public Prosecutor has sought a short period to submit the government's explanation regarding the reasons for replacing the Special Public Prosecutor and to produce the relevant files before the Court."
The High Court stayed further trial proceedings and posted the petition for consideration on September 14, 2026.
