Kochi City Police Commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar was transferred following criticism over a fatal October 25 crash. A Mercedes driven by a judge’s son killed 55-year-old Jayabalakrishnan. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said, "The police had initially failed to invoke the appropriate legal provision." Four other police personnel were also suspended.
Kochi City Police Commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar has been transferred amid mounting criticism over the police handling of a fatal crash involving a Mercedes-Benz driven by the 17-year-old son of an additional district judge.
The government’s move comes after Keralam Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala admitted to lapses in the investigation and promised action against officials responsible.
The crash took place on October 25 in Keralam’s Kochi, when the Mercedes rammed a scooter, killing 55-year-old Jayabalakrishnan. The victim’s family has alleged a conspiracy to sabotage the case, while the police’s handling of the minor accused, who was granted bail twice, triggered protests and questions over accountability.
POLICE RAIDS JUDGE’S RESIDENCE
A day before the commissioner’s transfer, police searched the additional district judge’s residence on Tuesday and collected CCTV footage as part of the probe.
The search came a day after the judge was named an accused under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act, which holds a juvenile’s guardian or the vehicle’s registered owner liable for offences committed by a minor.
According to PTI, the Kerala High Court granted permission to arraign the judge on Monday.
Earlier on Tuesday, while addressing the state Assembly, Chennithala said the police had initially failed to invoke the appropriate legal provision relating to culpable homicide.
He said he had contacted the Director General of Police after learning about the case and directed Additional Superintendent of Police P Vijayan to visit the victim’s family.
Based on the officer’s report, four police personnel, a Circle Inspector, a Station House Officer, a Grade Sub-Inspector and an Assistant Civil Police Officer, were suspended, the minister said.
The minor was initially released on station bail hours after the crash but was taken into custody again following protests by the victim’s family and local residents. He was subsequently produced before the Juvenile Justice Board, which granted him bail again.
Chennithala also criticised the board for granting bail before the victim’s body was laid to rest. The issue triggered a political confrontation in the Assembly, with the opposition staging a walkout over the police’s handling of the case.
Meanwhile, on Monday, police named the Additional District and Sessions Judge as an accused under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act, which holds a juvenile’s guardian or the vehicle’s registered owner liable for offences committed by a minor.
In a video recovered from the teenager, the vehicle is seen travelling at around 104 kmph, police said.
Police initially booked the teenager under Section 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for causing death by negligence and released him on station bail on Sunday evening.
However, following protests by the victim’s family outside Cheranalloor police station, he was taken into custody again and booked under Section 105 of the BNS for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Given the sensitive nature of the case, the probe has been transferred to the District Crime Branch, police said.