Judge's Son Faces Culpable Homicide Charge After Fatal Kochi Crash

Home Minister intervenes to add culpable homicide charge

Cheranalloor police initially registered the case under Section 281 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for rash driving and Section 106(1) for causing death by negligence. Authorities later added Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which covers culpable homicide not amounting to murder, following intervention from the home minister’s office.

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the government will take strict action against the culprit. He told the public that the investigation will not yield to influence or power.

Police investigation and teenager's account of the crash

Cheranalloor police released the teenager on station bail within hours of the accident. Police detained him following the incident. Officers later apprehended the teen and produced him before the Juvenile Justice Board Magistrate.

An officer said the police did not bring the teenager to the station at night because minors cannot be held there during those hours. The officer refused to provide details on where they apprehended the boy, noting they did not take him from his residence.

The teenager told police he took the car without his parents' knowledge. He claimed heavy rain and the scooter suddenly changing direction caused the accident.

Police said the teenager was alone and not intoxicated. Preliminary medical findings indicated he had not consumed alcohol, though they await further test results.

Investigators gathered proof the car was traveling at high speed. Officials from the Motor Vehicles Department, police, and forensic teams inspected the accident site. They are currently examining CCTV footage to reconstruct the event. Police will summon the teen again for the investigation.

Victim's family alleges judge's interference and aggression

The judge is the registered owner of the Mercedes-Benz involved in the crash. Police are investigating his potential liability and considering whether to invoke Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act against him. An officer said they will initiate action against the judge.

The victim's family alleged the judge behaved aggressively at the police station. They said he clenched his fist and threatened them when they questioned why he allowed his minor son to drive.

Selvaraj, the victim's brother, alleged that police forced him to delete photographs of the Mercedes-Benz from his mobile phone. He said the judge objected to the photos being taken.

Jayabalakrishnan was the father of three children. His family said they intend to pursue legal action to ensure accountability. They expressed concerns that the judge's position could influence the investigation and that crucial details were missing from the First Information Report.

Recent road tragedies trigger public outrage in Kerala

The incident occurred two weeks after a similar tragedy near Nedumbassery that killed three youths. That crash triggered public outrage in Kerala.