States » SouthPosted at: Oct 25 2026 9:05PM


‘Don’t question me’: Victim’s family alleges judge’s arrogance in fatal Kochi crash involving minor son

Kochi, Oct 25 (UNI) The family of a scooter rider killed in a Mercedes-Benz crash at Cheranalloor in Kochi has alleged that the father of the 17-year-old boy accused in the case, an Additional District Judge, responded arrogantly when questioned about allowing his minor son to drive.
The case has come under scrutiny following allegations of lapses in the police investigation and the teenager’s initial release on station bail. Police subsequently invoked Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), dealing with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, a non-bailable offence.
Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has expressed strong displeasure over the incident, while the BJP and the DYFI staged protests outside the Cheranalloor police station, demanding stringent action and a transparent investigation.
Jayabalakrishnan, a native of Manjali who had been operating a roadside eatery for 26 years, was returning home on his scooter after work in the early hours of Sunday when the speeding car allegedly hit him from behind on Container Road between 0215 and 0230 hours. He suffered fatal injuries and died despite being taken to hospital by local residents.
His relatives alleged that the Mercedes-Benz was travelling at more than 100 kmph. Jayalakshmi, the deceased’s niece, said an impact mark at the centre of the car indicated where her uncle’s head had struck it.
Recalling their confrontation with the boy’s father at the police station, Jayalakshmi said the family had questioned him about permitting a 17-year-old to drive.
“When we asked whether he did not know that a 17-year-old should not be allowed to drive, he told us, ‘You need not question me’,” she said.
“My uncle was lying dead on the road. Even if he is a district judge, we have the right to question him. Had he spoken to us with some humility, we would not have felt so hurt,” she added.
The family alleged that the police initially prevented them from meeting the juvenile and his father at the station. They also claimed that a police officer asked them to delete a photograph of the minor taken at the station, warning that retaining it could create problems. According to the relatives, their phone was taken away and the photograph deleted.
They further questioned why the car was allegedly moved from the accident site to a service road rather than taken directly to the police station. The alleged removal of its number plate also raised concerns among the relatives about the handling of potential evidence.
The family disputed the teenager’s reported claim that heavy rain had impaired visibility, maintaining that there was no waterlogging at the accident spot and that drainage facilities were available.
Cheranalloor Circle Inspector Shyam Kumar said the police had initially registered cases under Sections 281 and 106(1) of the BNS for rash driving on a public way and causing death by negligence. Section 105 was subsequently added, making the case more serious and introducing a non-bailable charge.
Police are also examining whether the juvenile had consumed intoxicating substances and whether further charges are warranted. Further legal proceedings against him would be initiated after obtaining the necessary permission from the Juvenile Justice Board, the officer said.
The victim’s relatives have demanded strict action against all those responsible, including the vehicle’s owner, and sought a thorough probe into the circumstances of the crash, the handling of evidence and the decision to release the juvenile on station bail.
UNI DS
Tags: #‘Don’t question me’: Victim’s family alleges judge’s arrogance in fatal Kochi crash involving minor son
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