Kochi Hit-and-Run Case: Judge Father of Minor Accused Gets Anticipatory Bail, High Court Questions Police Interrogation

A Kerala judge whose 17-year-old son allegedly drove a Mercedes-Benz that killed a scooterist in Kochi has secured anticipatory bail after being booked under the Motor Vehicles Act for an offence involving a juvenile.

The Additional District and Sessions Judge, who serves at a court in Irinjalakuda in Thrissur district, was named an accused under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act. The provision holds a juvenile’s guardian or the vehicle’s registered owner liable for certain offences committed by a minor.

The Kerala High Court questioned the police’s decision to continue interrogating the judge and asked why his arrest was necessary.

“What was the need to interrogate him for four hours and now for further interrogation?” the court asked.

The court also observed that the judge would co-operate with the investigation.

Judge Claims He Was Unaware Son Had Taken Car

The accident occurred in the early hours of Sunday on Container Road at Marapparambu in Cheranalloor, Kochi. Jayabalakrishnan, 55, a resident of South Chittoor, was allegedly struck by a speeding Mercedes-Benz driven by the judge’s 17-year-old son.

The vehicle was registered in the judge’s name.

In his anticipatory bail plea, the judge claimed he had no knowledge that his son had taken the car. He told the court that he went to bed at 1.28 am after preparing for a judicial academy and that his son had taken the vehicle without his knowledge, leaving through the rear staircase.

The judge claimed he learnt about the accident only after receiving a phone call at 2.14 am.

He argued that he could not be held vicariously liable for an offence unless he had abetted it or shared a common intention to commit it.

Police Search Judge’s Residence

The judge approached the court for anticipatory bail a day after Crime Branch officials searched his residence.

According to his plea, police had already seized mobile phones, laptops, a motorbike and the Mercedes-Benz from the house. He argued that the seizures left no grounds for custodial interrogation.

He also maintained that he was not a flight risk and that his arrest would cause irreparable damage to his reputation and the dignity of his office.

Minor Rebooked After Victim’s Family Protests

Police initially registered a case under Section 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with causing death by negligence, and released the teenager on bail from the police station on Sunday evening.

The victim’s family subsequently protested outside the Cheranalloor police station, alleging that the police were attempting to protect the minor.

Following the protests, police apprehended the teenager again and booked him under Section 105 of the BNS, which deals with culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

The teenager was produced before the Juvenile Justice Board, which granted him bail.

Victim’s Family Seeks Action Against Judge and Son

The victim’s family has demanded the arrest of both the judge and his son, alleging collusion between the judge and the police to protect the minor accused.

Family members are also planning to approach the Kerala High Court to seek the judge’s removal.

Police have initiated steps to cancel the bail granted to the teenager, as per NDTV report.