Kerala judge booked after teen son’s speeding car kills scooter rider
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Kochi: Kerala Police have booked an Additional District Judge in connection with a fatal road accident involving his minor son, after securing the Kerala High Court’s permission to proceed against the judicial officer.
The teenager, allegedly driving his father’s Mercedes-Benz, had knocked down and killed a scooter rider at Cheranelloor near Kochi in the early hours of Sunday. Police said they would soon approach the Ernakulam District Sessions Court to seek cancellation of the boy’s bail.
The action comes amid growing public outrage over the way the case was handled. The teenager was first released on station bail and later granted bail by the Juvenile Justice Board, drawing sharp criticism from the victim’s family, local residents and social media users.
The judge owns the car involved in the accident. Police are examining whether he can be held responsible under the Motor Vehicles Act for allowing his 17-year-old son, who does not have a driving licence, to use the vehicle.
The victim has been identified as Jayabalakrishnan, 55, a native of Manjali. He was returning home after shutting his small roadside eatery near the Chittoor temple when the accident occurred on Container Road around 2.20 a.m. He died on the spot.
His death has left his wife and three children without their main source of income.
Police said the teenager often drove the car and had taken it out late at night to record a social media reel showing him driving at high speed. Investigators have recovered footage from his mobile phone, which reportedly shows the vehicle speeding shortly before the crash.
After the accident, the boy was taken into custody but released on station bail the same evening. Following protests by the victim’s family and residents, he was detained again and produced before the Juvenile Justice Board, which granted him bail.
Police have booked the teenager under Sections 181 and 183 of the Motor Vehicles Act for allegedly driving without a licence and overspeeding.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala ordered immediate action after the initial release triggered public anger. The Additional Director General of Police in charge of law and order has been asked to review the alleged lapses, while Kochi City Police Commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar is likely to be issued a show-cause notice.
Jayabalakrishnan’s daughter collapsed during a sit-in protest outside the police station and was taken to hospital. She said she would continue her fight for justice, while the family has demanded strict action against everyone responsible for the accident.
(Inputs from IANS)