Kochi Minor Driving Tragedy: Family Alleges Intimidation as Probe into Judge’s Son Begins

Kochi: A tragic road accident in the early hours of Sunday has sparked a firestorm of controversy after a 17-year-old boy, the son of a sitting Kerala judge, allegedly rammed his father’s luxury vehicle into a scooter, resulting in the death of its rider.

The incident occurred at approximately 2:20 am near the Ford showroom on Container Road, Cheranalloor. The victim, identified as Jayabalakrishnan, was on his way home after closing his roadside eatery when the Mercedes-Benz struck his scooter from behind. Despite the efforts of local residents who rushed to the scene, Jayabalakrishnan succumbed to his injuries at the site.

Legal Proceedings and Investigation

Following the collision, the teenager—whose identity is protected by law due to his status as a minor—was detained by police but was subsequently released on station bail. Cheranalloor authorities have registered an FIR under Section 281 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for rash driving and Section 106(1) for causing death by negligence.

While preliminary medical examinations suggest the minor was not intoxicated at the time of the crash, officials are awaiting final lab reports. Police investigators are currently analyzing CCTV footage from the area to reconstruct the sequence of events. The teenager, in his initial statement, claimed he had taken the high-end vehicle without his parents’ authorization and attributed the collision to poor visibility caused by heavy rain and the scooter’s sudden change in direction.

Allegations of Influence and Threats

The case has taken a contentious turn as the victim’s family has publicly accused the judge—the registered owner of the Mercedes—of attempting to impede the investigation. The family alleges that the judge acted with open hostility at the police station when confronted about how an unlicensed minor was permitted to operate such a powerful vehicle.

Selvaraj, the brother of the deceased, further claimed that he was pressured by the judicial officer to refrain from documenting the scene. “The judge objected to photographs being taken, and police officials forced me to delete pictures of the vehicle from my phone,” he alleged. The family expressed deep apprehension that the legal proceedings might be compromised due to the influential professional standing of the car’s owner.

Accountability for the Vehicle Owner

As the investigation gains momentum, authorities are evaluating whether legal provisions under the Motor Vehicles Act can be applied against the father. Under Section 199A of the Act, the guardians or owners of vehicles driven by juveniles can be held legally accountable for specific traffic offenses.

Police officials have sought to quell public anxiety, maintaining that the inquiry will remain transparent and rigorous. “We are examining all aspects, including the liability of the vehicle owner, to ensure justice is served,” a senior officer stated. With the victim survived by three children, the family has vowed to continue their pursuit for accountability, urging the state to ensure that the investigation remains free from external pressure.

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