Kochi judge charged as vehicle owner after son’s crash kills motorcyclist
An Additional District Judge in Kerala has been booked under the Motor Vehicles Act for a fatal collision involving his son, while the juvenile driver was granted bail.
Kochi City police on Monday arraigned an Additional District Judge as an accused in a crash that killed a 55-year-old man in Cheranalloor, Kerala. The judge, posted in Irinjalakkuda, is the registered owner of the luxury car driven by his 17-year-old son, who allegedly rammed the vehicle into the victim’s scooter in the early hours of Sunday.
Under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act, the guardian or vehicle owner is deemed responsible for offences committed by a juvenile. The judge was therefore charged alongside the minor driver.
"Steps are now being taken in compliance with the Supreme Court guidelines that apply when a judge is booked. We will have to intimate the district judiciary and the High Court," said S. Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar, District Police Chief.
The victim, identified as Jayabalakrishnan of Chittur, was returning from his eatery when the collision occurred around 2:20 a.m. on Container Road. He died at the scene.
The Juvenile Justice Board granted bail to the teenager, noting the absence of prior criminal records. The police initially released him on bail under the Juvenile Justice Act, but later added sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for rash driving, causing death by negligent act, and culpable homicide not amounting to murder after public protests.
The case highlights the legal responsibility of vehicle owners and guardians in incidents involving juvenile drivers.