Judge booked for letting minor son drive Mercedes that killed man in Kochi

The Juvenile Justice Board in Ernakulam, on Monday, October 26, granted bail to the 17-year-old son of an Additional District Sessions Judge in connection with a fatal accident in Kochi that killed a scooterist in the early hours of Sunday. The judge also has been reportedly booked in connection with the accident, as the Mercedes Benz sedan involved in the crash was registered in his name. 

The minor, who had initially been let go on station bail under Section 8 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, was taken back into custody due to mounting public pressure and protests by the victim’s family. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has also reportedly been formed to probe allegations made by the victim’s family.

Fifty-five-year-old Jayabalakrishnan was killed in Ernakulam’s Cheranallur in the early hours of Sunday, October 25, after his scooter was struck by a car driven by the judge’s minor son. The accident occurred around 2.30 am when Jayabalakrishnan was going back home on his scooter after closing his street food stall. The speeding car rammed into his scooter from behind.

The victim’s family alleged that the teenager attempted to flee the scene after the collision. However, the car stopped after a few metres due to the impact of the accident.

An FIR has been registered under Sections 281 and 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for rash driving and causing death due to negligence. 

Jayabalakrishnan’s family also alleged that undue influence was wielded by the judge’s family to shield the accused teenager. Jayalakshmi, Jayabalakrishnan’s niece, told the media on Sunday, “When I went to the police station, the SHO told me not to get emotional and that it was a 17-year-old who was involved. When I asked whether I could see him, they refused and also told me that he is the son of a district judge.”

Speaking to the media, Jayalakshmi alleged that the minor’s father behaved arrogantly with her when she questioned the judge about allowing his underage, unlicensed son to drive. “I asked his father if he didn’t know that a 17-year-old cannot drive a vehicle. He replied arrogantly, ‘Don’t you dare to question me, you are not in a position to do that’,” she added.

Jayabalakrishnan’s family strongly opposed the accused being granted bail, alleging that the victim and accused were being treated differently because the latter is affluent. “The accused was granted bail even before my father’s body was released from the hospital. That is the greatest injustice that had been done to my father,” Jayabalakrishnan’s daughter told the media.