Mercedes hit-and-run case: Kochi police commissioner transferred over lapses after crash involving judge's minor son

Kochi City Police Commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar has been transferred amid growing criticism over the police investigation into a fatal accident involving a Mercedes-Benz allegedly driven by the 17-year-old son of an additional district judge.

The transfer follows an admission by Keralam Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala that there were lapses in the investigation. He also assured that action would be taken against the officials responsible.

The accident occurred in Kochi on October 25, when the Mercedes-Benz rammed a scooter, killing 55-year-old Jayabalakrishnan. The victim’s family has alleged a conspiracy to undermine the case. Meanwhile, the police’s handling of the minor accused, who was granted bail twice, has sparked protests and raised questions about accountability.

Police search judge’s residence

A day before the police commissioner’s transfer, investigators searched the additional district judge’s residence on Tuesday and collected CCTV footage as part of the investigation. The search took place a day after the judge was named as an accused under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act, which makes a juvenile’s guardian or the vehicle’s registered owner liable for offences committed by a minor.

According to reports, the Kerala High Court granted permission on Monday to include the judge as an accused in the case.

Earlier on Tuesday, while addressing the state Assembly, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala acknowledged that the police had initially failed to invoke the appropriate legal provision related to culpable homicide.

He 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.

The minister said that, based on the officer’s report, four police personnel a Circle Inspector, a Station House Officer, a Grade Sub-Inspector and an Assistant Civil Police Officer had been suspended.

The minor was initially granted station bail within hours of the crash but was taken into custody again following protests by the victim’s family and local residents. He was later produced before the Juvenile Justice Board, which granted him bail once more.

Chennithala also criticised the board for granting bail before the victim’s body had been laid to rest. The case sparked a political confrontation in the state Assembly, with opposition members staging a walkout over the police’s handling of the investigation.

Meanwhile, on Monday, police named the Additional District and Sessions Judge as an accused under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act, which holds a juvenile’s guardian or the vehicle’s registered owner liable for offences committed by a minor.

Police said a video recovered from the teenager showed the vehicle travelling at approximately 104 kmph.

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

However, following protests by the victim’s family outside the Cheranalloor police station, he was taken into custody again and charged under Section 105 of the BNS for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Given the sensitive nature of the case, the investigation has been transferred to the District Crime Branch, police said.