Kochi Mercedes hit-and-run: Judge’s minor son drives car at high speed, kills man; released on bail, now taken into custody again after protests

KOCHI: Police took the 17-year-old son of an additional sessions judge into custody again after protests by the family of a man killed when Mercedes-Benz allegedly driven by the minor rammed into his scooter in Cheranelloor, Kochi, in the early hours of Sunday.Police had initially registered a case of causing death by negligence and released the boy on bail from the police station.However, following protests by the victim’s family and a preliminary investigation indicating that the car was being driven at high speed, police invoked Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with culpable homicide not amounting to murder.The deceased, Jayabalakrishnan, 55, a resident of South Chittoor, ran a roadside eatery. He was returning home on his scooter after closing his shop when the accident occurred around 2.20am on Container Road near Marapparambu in Cheranelloor.Both vehicles were travelling towards Kalamassery, and a preliminary investigation indicated that the Mercedes hit the scooter from behind. The car is registered in the judge’s name.The initial release of the minor triggered protests outside Cheranelloor police station, where Jayabalakrishnan’s son and daughter, accompanied by activists, demanded that the accused be taken into custody and produced before the Juvenile Justice Board.As the agitation intensified and more people gathered in support of the family, senior police officers intervened. Police subsequently reached the judge’s residence, took the boy into custody and produced him before the board late at night.During the protest, Jayabalakrishnan’s daughter fainted and was taken to hospital, police said.The victim’s family also demanded that a case be registered against the judge for allegedly allowing his minor son to drive the car. Police said they had sought legal opinion on whether the judge could be arraigned in the case and would take a decision on Monday.An earlier police statement said the minor had undergone a medical examination, with preliminary findings indicating that he had not consumed alcohol. A detailed report was awaited.Police sources said the boy had claimed that the scooter suddenly swerved to avoid waterlogging and that he could not stop the car in time to prevent the collision. Heavy rain had lashed the area during the early hours of Sunday.Jayalakshmi, a relative of the victim, described the accident scene as horrifying, pointing to the damage to the vehicles and the distance at which the victim’s footwear and helmet were found.She also alleged that the judge had spoken disrespectfully to the family when they questioned why his minor son had been allowed to drive. The family said it would pursue the case.The incident comes less than three weeks after another fatal crash in Kochi on October 11, when a Mini Cooper allegedly driven at high speed by a 19-year-old who had consumed alcohol hit a scooter, killing three youths. The accused remains in judicial custody.Meanwhile, Youth Congress leader Shajahan P Y had approached state home minister Ramesh Chennithala, seeking action under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act, which provides for action against the guardian or vehicle owner when a juvenile commits a traffic offence using a vehicle.The law provides for exceptions if the guardian or owner can establish that the offence occurred without their knowledge or that they exercised due diligence to prevent it.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kochi | Silver Rate in Kochi | Bank Holidays in Kochi | Public Holidays in KochiStay updated with the latest Kochi news. Download the TOI App.