Chief Minister visits Jayabalakrishnan's family, assures government support and justice

KOCHI: "We are with you, not with the accused. The government has taken all the steps you've demanded. Stay strong. The government will stand by you." Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan gave this assurance to the family of Jayabalakrishnan, who was killed after a Mercedes-Benz car allegedly driven at high speed by the minor son of a judge hit him. The Chief Minister visited the family's residence at South Chittoor around 1.30 pm on Friday and spoke to Jayabalakrishnan's wife, Bindu, and their children, Sarath Bhadran, Bhadra Keerthi and Bhagyadarshan.

The Chief Minister said that everyone, including the Home Minister, had intervened in the matter. He had also sent the ADGP to the spot to understand the situation. As demanded by the victim's daughter, the police officers concerned had been suspended, he said.

"We will not try to protect anyone, including the judge. I do not even know him. Everyone is working to ensure that you get justice," the Chief Minister told the family.

During the meeting, Bindu told the Chief Minister that the police had taken steps to protect the judge's son even before Jayabalakrishnan's body was removed from the accident site.

She said the police called her at 2.46 am and informed her about the accident, asking her to come to the hospital. As she did not have a vehicle, she gave them her son's phone number. The police then contacted her son and took him along. The accident occurred at 2.16 am, and the family alleged that the judge's family reached the spot by 2.40 am and destroyed evidence.

Bhadra Keerthi also told the Chief Minister that CCTV footage showed the judge's family allegedly tampering with evidence while Jayabalakrishnan's body was still lying at the accident site.

He said the footage showed the judge's wife and son travelling in a car behind a police vehicle. The judge and his friend, who arrived in a Fortuner car behind them, were also seen allegedly attempting to remove the board from the front of the vehicle, he claimed.

The Chief Minister did not respond to the media after the visit. Hibi Eden MP and MLAs T.J. Vinod and Mohammed Shiyas accompanied him.

"We informed the Chief Minister about all our demands. We have not received justice yet and requested him to take necessary steps. He assured us that the government would stand with us. He also said that suspending the judge was not within the government's powers," Bhadra Keerthi said.