Kerala Government Takes Strict Action Against Police in Hit-and-Run Case

The Kerala government has initiated strict action following a hit-and-run incident in Kochi involving the 17 year old son of an Additional District and Sessions Judge from Thrissur. The teenager was allegedly driving a Mercedes Benz at high speed when it hit a scooter in Cheranelloor early on Sunday, killing 55 year old Jayabalakrishnan. The Kochi police initially registered a case under provisions that allowed the accused to obtain station bail and released him. Following protests by the victim’s family and relatives outside the police station, the teenager was taken into custody again and produced before the Juvenile Justice Board, which subsequently granted him bail. The family alleged that the judge and police had colluded to protect the accused, triggering widespread criticism and raising questions about the handling of the case.

Following an investigation, Kochi Range IG Nishanthini reportedly found lapses on the part of the police. The Kerala government transferred Kochi Police Commissioner K. Mahesh Kumar Kaliraj and suspended four other police personnel, including a Circle Inspector and three police officers. Authorities also added more serious provisions relating to causing death through a criminal act and filed a petition before the Juvenile Justice Court seeking cancellation of the teenager’s bail. Meanwhile, with the permission of the High Court, police registered a case against the accused teenager’s father, the judge. The developments came after opposition parties raised the issue strongly in the Kerala Assembly, prompting the government to order action over the alleged police negligence.