Juvenile Justice Board grants bail to teen involved in fatal Kochi crash
A 17-year-old, son of a judge, was released on bail by the Ernakulam Juvenile Justice Board after being charged with rash driving and causing death by negligence in a collision that killed a 55-year-old man.
The Ernakulam Juvenile Justice Board granted bail to a 17-year-old who was driving a Mercedes-Benz that struck a scooter on Container Road in Kochi, resulting in the death of 55-year-old Jayabalakrishnan. According to the First Information Report filed by Cheranalloor police, the accident occurred at about 2:20 a.m. on Sunday as the car traveled from Vallarpadam toward Kalamassery.
Police initially charged the teenager under Sections 281 and 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, for rash driving and causing death by negligence. Following protests by the victim's family and local residents, Section 105, which pertains to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, was added, and the minor was taken into custody.
After a brief period of station bail, the juvenile was produced before the Juvenile Justice Board, which ordered his release on bail.
"The board considered the circumstances and the applicable provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act before granting bail," a board spokesperson said.