Speed exceeded 100 km/h; Judge likely to face suspension; More details in Cheranalloor accident case

KOCHI: With protests intensifying against police attempts to shield the affluent minor who recklessly drove a Mercedes-Benz and killed a street-food vendor, the minor’s father, a judge, has now been named as an accused in the case.

Persistent scrutiny by the media; criticism in the Legislative Assembly; and the displeasure of the Home Minister—these factors combined to put a temporary halt to the attempts to manipulate the investigation. The victim, Jayabalakrishnan, a family man who ran a roadside eatery, lost his life when a 17-year-old 'Plus Two' student rammed a Mercedes-Benz at a speed exceeding 100 km/h in the wee hours of the morning. The case against the Judge was registered following the initial charge of culpable homicide against the 17-year-old. The First Information Report (FIR) was amended to include the father—an Additional District Judge who presides over motor accident compensation cases—as an accused. The District Crime Branch will conduct the investigation.

City Police Commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar stated that an application would be filed in court to cancel the 17-year-old's bail. Evidence showing the 17-year-old drove a car at speeds exceeding 100 km/h was obtained. Footage recorded on a mobile phone during the journey also contains details regarding the speed.

The sit-in protest staged by Bhadrakeerthi and Bhagya Darshan—children of Jayabalakrishnan (55)—in front of the Cheranalloor Police Station continued until nightfall. Their demands included the arrest and suspension of the judge, as well as the cancellation of the 17-year-old’s bail. By last night, V.D. Satheesan (Leader of the Opposition) contacted them and informed them that ADGP P. Vijayan would visit the site on Tuesday. Following this, the relatives called off the protest.

The judge is likely to be suspended. It is understood that a decision is expected soon from a five-member administrative committee, chaired by High Court Chief Justice Soumen Sen. There are also indications that Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan, who oversees the Thrissur district judiciary, has written to the Chief Justice requesting such action.