Kerala Police Search Judge's Home After Son Charged in Fatal Hit-and-Run
Police in Kochi searched the residence of an Additional District and Sessions Judge after his 17-year-old son was charged in a hit-and-run that killed a scooter rider, and four officers were suspended.
Kochi police conducted a search of the flat belonging to an Additional District and Sessions Judge on Wednesday, following directions from the Kerala High Court. Investigators collected CCTV footage and other evidence, with an Assistant Commissioner of the Crime Branch and a team from the Photographic Bureau present at the residence.
The search follows the judge’s being named an accused under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act, which holds a minor’s guardian or vehicle owner liable for offences committed by a juvenile. The charge relates to a crash on Sunday morning in Cheranalloor, where a Mercedes-Benz registered in the judge’s name, allegedly driven by his 17-year-old son, struck and killed a scooterist named Jayabalakrishnan.
Police initially filed a case under Section 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for causing death by negligence and released the teenager on bail. After protests by the victim’s family, the teen was re-arrested and booked under Section 105 of the same law for culpable homicide not amounting to murder. He was later produced before the Juvenile Justice Board, which granted bail.
The victim’s family has called for the arrest of both the judge and his son and is considering a petition to the high court for the judge’s removal. Authorities said they are also seeking to cancel the minor’s bail.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala told the state assembly that officials who failed to cite the correct legal provisions in the initial FIR would face strict action and that the judge would not receive preferential treatment. Four police officers have been suspended, and the FIR has been amended to include Section 199A against the judge as the vehicle’s owner.