Kochi Police Commissioner Removed Amid Controversy Over Judge’s Son Mercedes Crash

The Kerala government transferred Kochi City Police Commissioner S. Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar and suspended four officers from the Cheranalloor police station after public outcry over the handling of a fatal hit-and-run. The teenager accused of driving the Mercedes-Benz is the 17-year-old son of an additional district judge. The victim, 55-year-old Jayabalakrishnan, owned a roadside eatery.

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On October 25, a Mercedes-Benz driven by the judge’s son struck Jayabalakrishnan’s scooter on Container Road, killing him. Police initially classified the incident under rash-driving provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). After protests, the charge was upgraded to Section 105 BNS (culpable homicide not amounting to murder). The judge was later named an accused under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act, which holds a vehicle’s guardian liable for offences by a minor.

Kochi hit-and-run: Judge named as accused in Mercedes accident involving his minor son

• Oct 25 – Collision kills Jayabalakrishnan.

Kochi Police Commissioner removed over lapses in handling Mercedes-Benz crash case

• Oct 26 – Victim’s children protest, demanding arrests.

Kochi police commissioner transferred over lapses in Mercedes hit-and-run case

• Oct 27 – ADGP P. Vijayan visits the station and begins a preliminary inquiry.

Onmanorama

• Oct 28 – Commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar is removed; R. Nishanthini appointed as replacement. Four police personnel are suspended.

Mercedes hit-and-run: Kochi police commissioner removed from post after crash involving judge’s minor son; 4 cops suspended

• Victim: 55; roadside eatery owner.

Kochi hit-and-run: Judge named as accused in Mercedes accident involving his minor son

• Accused driver: 17, son of an additional district judge.

Kochi Police Commissioner Removed Over Mercedes Hit-And-Run Case Lapses

• Vehicle: 2012 turbo-diesel Mercedes-Benz; police evidence indicates speed over 100 km/h before impact.

Kochi Police Commissioner Removed Over Mercedes Hit-And-Run Case Lapses

• Police actions: Initial registration under Sections 281 and 106(1) BNS; later addition of Section 105 BNS; bail granted then withdrawn; four officers suspended.

The Hindu

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala acknowledged lapses in the early police response and pledged “strong action” against officials and, if warranted, the judge’s father. ADGP P. Vijayan said the investigation would treat all parties equally, rejecting claims of influence. The police department explained that the case was re-filed under Section 105 after mobile-phone data confirmed overspeeding.

Kochi car crash: Minister Chennithala admits to police lapses, assures action

Opposition MLA A. C. Moideen moved an adjournment motion in the Kerala Legislative Assembly, accusing the police of shielding influential individuals and demanding suspension of the House proceedings.

Onmanorama

• Charge classification: Sources differ on whether the upgrade to culpable homicide was driven by forensic evidence or public pressure.

Kochi hit-and-run: Judge named as accused in Mercedes accident involving his minor son

• Bail status: The teenager was released on station bail within an hour of arrest, then re-arrested after protests, and later denied bail by the district sessions court. Reports vary on the exact timeline.

Kochi police commissioner transferred over lapses in Mercedes hit-and-run case

• Alcohol involvement: Police say no alcohol was detected, while the victim’s family alleges possible tampering, a claim not independently verified.

Kochi Police Commissioner Removed Over Mercedes Hit-And-Run Case Lapses

• “Later, after checking his mobile phone and other details, we found that the car had been speeding sometime before the accident,” — S. Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar

Kochi hit-and-run: Judge named as accused in Mercedes accident involving his minor son

• “The initial action taken by the Cheranalloor police was not correct,” — Ramesh Chennithala

Kochi car crash: Minister Chennithala admits to police lapses, assures action

The investigation has been transferred to the District Crime Branch, and the Kerala High Court has granted permission to arraign the judge. The government will decide further disciplinary action against police officials after the Crime Branch completes its inquiry.

Kochi police commissioner transferred over lapses in Mercedes hit-and-run case