Fri Jan 03 15:00:29 UTC 2025: ## Former DC Books Head Seeks Anticipatory Bail in Jayarajan Autobiography Leak Case
**KOCHI, January 3, 2025** – A.V. Sreekumar, the former head of publications at DC Books, has approached the Kerala High Court seeking anticipatory bail following a police case filed against him for allegedly leaking excerpts from CPI(M) leader E.P. Jayarajan’s purported autobiography.
Sreekumar, charged with criminal breach of trust and cheating, denies any wrongdoing. His lawyer argued that his actions were within the scope of his duties as senior deputy editor, involving review and approval of material submitted by the Deshabhimani daily’s Kannur bureau chief. He maintains he merely forwarded the material to the editorial board, as per standard procedure, and had no involvement in printing or breach of trust. All relevant records have been provided to the police, the lawyer added.
The controversy erupted after excerpts from the autobiography were circulated in the media on the day of by-elections in Chelakkara and Wayanad. Following the ensuing public outcry and Jayarajan’s denial of authorizing any publication rights, DC Books indefinitely postponed the book’s release. Jayarajan labelled the leaked excerpts as “baseless nonsense.”
The High Court has sought government instructions and adjourned the hearing until January 6.
First Piper 