Kochi Police Commissioner transferred over lapses in Mercedes hit-and-run involving judge’s son

Kochi City Police Commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar has been transferred following criticism of the police response to a fatal road accident involving a Mercedes-Benz allegedly driven by the 17-year-old son of an additional district judge.

The move comes as Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala acknowledged shortcomings in the investigation and assured the state Assembly that action had been taken against police personnel found responsible. The case has also been handed over to the District Crime Branch for further investigation.

The accident occurred in Kochi on October 25 when a Mercedes-Benz collided with a scooter, killing 55-year-old Jayabalakrishnan. The teenager was initially booked for causing death by negligence and released on station bail within hours of the incident.

The decision triggered anger among the victim’s family and local residents, who protested outside Cheranalloor police station. The teenager was subsequently taken into custody again and charged under a provision relating to culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

The victim’s family has alleged that attempts were being made to undermine the case. The handling of the minor accused, who was granted bail twice, has also raised questions about police accountability.

Addressing the Kerala Assembly on Tuesday, Chennithala said the police had initially failed to apply the appropriate legal provision relating to culpable homicide.

The minister said he contacted the Director General of Police after learning about the incident and instructed Additional Superintendent of Police P Vijayan to visit the victim’s family.

Based on the report submitted by the officer, four police personnel were suspended. They include a Circle Inspector, a Station House Officer, a Grade Sub-Inspector and an Assistant Civil Police Officer.

Chennithala also criticised the Juvenile Justice Board for granting bail to the teenager before the victim’s body had been laid to rest. The issue led to a political confrontation in the Assembly, with opposition members walking out in protest over the handling of the case.

The investigation has also extended to the teenager’s father, an Additional District and Sessions Judge. On Monday, police named the judge as an accused under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act. The provision deals with the liability of a juvenile’s guardian or the vehicle’s registered owner for offences committed by a minor.

According to PTI, the Kerala High Court had permitted the judge to be arraigned in the case.

On Tuesday, police searched the judge’s residence and collected CCTV footage as part of the investigation. The search took place a day after the judge was named as an accused.

Police said a video recovered from the teenager showed the Mercedes travelling at approximately 104 kmph. The footage is among the material being examined as investigators reconstruct the circumstances of the collision.

Initially, the teenager was booked under Section 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with causing death by negligence. He was released on station bail on Sunday evening.

Following protests by the victim’s family and local residents, he was taken into custody again and charged under Section 105 of the BNS, relating to culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Police have transferred the investigation to the District Crime Branch, citing the sensitive nature of the matter.