New charge added against additional district judge for attempting to destroy evidence in Cheranalloor accident case

KOCHI: A new charge has been added against the additional district judge, whose 17-year-old son drove a Benz car that struck and killed a man in Cheranalloor. Section 238 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), pertaining to the destruction of evidence, has been invoked against the judge. Earlier, a case had been registered against him under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act.

Bhadra Keerthi, daughter of the dead Jayabalakrishnan, had lodged a complaint with the City Police Commissioner alleging that the official ‘judge' board displayed on the car was removed immediately after the accident. She also alleged that the judge had visited the police station and attempted to influence the officers. The family had demanded a separate investigation into the alleged destruction of evidence by the judge. The new charge was added following this complaint.

Meanwhile, the prosecution told the court that the family of Jayabalakrishnan was obstructing an independent investigation. The family had earlier raised allegations against the prosecutor. When the court asked whether there was any basis for the allegation that the prosecution was being negligent in handling the case, the family was unable to give a clear answer. The family said it could submit the details in a closed-door hearing. Further arguments in the case will now be held in-camera, with proceedings conducted in a closed courtroom.