Inspector General of Police R. Nishanthini, who headed the South Zone, has been appointed to replace Kumar. The outgoing commissioner has not been assigned another posting.
The government order, issued following directions from Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, also transferred Inspector General P. Prakash from the State Crime Records Bureau to the South Zone. Prakash will retain additional responsibilities for the records bureau and cybercrime operations.
The reshuffle follows the suspension of four officers attached to Cheranalloor police station on Tuesday over alleged procedural failures in investigating the death of Jayabalakrishnan, a 55-year-old roadside food vendor.
Jayabalakrishnan was killed early on Sunday when a Mercedes-Benz allegedly driven by the 17-year-old son of Additional District Judge Rino Francis struck his scooter from behind on Container Road near Cheranalloor.
The victim, a resident of Manjali who operated a roadside eatery near Chittoor, was returning home after closing his business when the collision occurred at approximately 2.20 am.
Additional Director General of Police P. Vijayan conducted a preliminary inquiry into the investigation and identified shortcomings in the initial police response. His findings prompted disciplinary proceedings and intensified scrutiny of supervisory responsibilities within Kochi City Police.
The inquiry examined delays in registering appropriate charges, shortcomings in collecting evidence and the handling of material potentially relevant to establishing the circumstances of the collision.
The victim’s relatives accused investigators of treating the teenager leniently because his father held judicial office. They questioned the initial decision to release him on station bail and alleged attempts to weaken the prosecution.
Police initially registered offences relating to negligent driving and causing death through negligence. Investigators subsequently invoked Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, covering culpable homicide not amounting to murder, after examining evidence concerning the vehicle’s speed.
Before his transfer, Kumar acknowledged that the initial charges had been based on information available when the case was registered. He maintained that stronger provisions were added after investigators obtained further evidence.
Police have indicated that the Mercedes-Benz was travelling at more than 100 kilometres per hour before the collision. The precise circumstances of the crash remain under investigation.
The teenager was subsequently produced before the Juvenile Justice Board and granted bail. Investigators have sought cancellation of that bail as the inquiry proceeds.
The teenager’s father, who is also the registered owner of the vehicle, has been named as an accused under provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act governing responsibility for offences committed by underage drivers.
The legislation provides for potential liability of guardians or vehicle owners when juveniles commit specified driving offences, subject to statutory safeguards and the circumstances established during investigation.
Chennithala criticised the initial police response during proceedings in the legislative assembly on Tuesday and announced disciplinary action against personnel whose conduct had come under examination.
The suspended personnel include officers holding supervisory and investigative responsibilities at Cheranalloor police station. The government’s intervention subsequently extended to the city commissioner after questions arose over the adequacy of senior-level supervision.
The District Crime Branch has assumed responsibility for investigating the collision, including allegations concerning the handling and possible destruction of electronic evidence.
Investigators searched the Aluva residence of the additional district judge overnight on Tuesday and Wednesday. They collected CCTV material and electronic devices considered potentially relevant to reconstructing events surrounding the accident.
(The article ‘Kochi police chief shunted out over crash’ appeared first on Free Press Journal.)
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