Action against cops in Mercedes crash, judge faces suspension

Four police personnel, including a circle inspector, have been suspended over lapses in handling the fatal Cheranalloor road accident involving a Mercedes-Benz allegedly driven by the 17-year-old son of an additional district judge.

The suspensions followed an inquiry by Additional Director General of Police P. Vijayan into allegations of procedural irregularities, including deficiencies in registering the case and the initial treatment of the teenage suspect. The action came as the Kerala High Court considered a separate recommendation to suspend the boy’s father over his conduct following the accident.

The suspended officers were identified as Circle Inspector Shyam Kumar, Station House Officer Viswajith, Assistant Sub-Inspector Manoj and Civil Police Officer Arun. The disciplinary action followed Vijayan’s inspection of Cheranalloor police station and his examination of the circumstances surrounding the initial investigation.

Justice P. V. Kunhikrishnan, the High Court judge responsible for administrative oversight of the Thrissur district judiciary, has recommended the immediate suspension of the additional district judge and a detailed inquiry into his conduct.

The recommendation followed findings that the judicial officer visited Cheranalloor police station after learning that his son had been taken into custody. The visit was neither connected with official duties nor authorised beforehand by the Principal Sessions Judge, according to the judicial assessment.

Supreme Court guidelines restrict judicial officers from visiting police stations except for official or judicial purposes and require prior permission from the appropriate judicial authority. The report raised concerns that the judge’s conduct could undermine public confidence in the judiciary.

The recommendation has been referred for consideration by the High Court’s administrative committee, comprising the Chief Justice and senior judges. A recommendation for suspension does not itself constitute a disciplinary order, and the committee must determine the appropriate action.

The judge has separately been named as an accused under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act because he is the registered owner of the Mercedes-Benz allegedly driven by his underage son.

Police questioned the judicial officer at his residence in Companypady, Aluva, on Monday evening. He maintained that his son had taken the vehicle without his knowledge or permission and denied knowing that the teenager regularly drove it.

The accident occurred around 2.20 am on Sunday, October 25, along Container Road near Maraparambu in Cheranalloor. Jayabalakrishnan, 55, who operated a roadside eatery near Chittoor, was returning home on his scooter when the Mercedes struck the two-wheeler from behind.

Jayabalakrishnan died at the scene. Preliminary police findings indicated that the car was travelling at more than 100 kilometres per hour before the collision. Investigators have examined video evidence relating to the vehicle’s speed.

The teenager initially secured bail, prompting criticism from the victim’s family and questions about whether the seriousness of the alleged offence had been adequately reflected in the original charges. Police subsequently added a culpable homicide charge and approached the court seeking cancellation of bail.

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala acknowledged failures in the initial police response during proceedings in the Legislative Assembly. He said the government would pursue action against officers responsible for procedural lapses and ensure that the suspect’s family background did not influence the investigation.

The District Crime Branch has taken over the investigation. Kochi City Police Commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar said investigators would pursue the necessary legal proceedings and examine evidence relating to the collision.

Jayabalakrishnan’s family had protested outside Cheranalloor police station, demanding action against the judge, cancellation of the teenager’s bail and accountability for officers accused of mishandling the case.