Full Breakdown
Police Commissioner Removed Amid Mercedes Hit-and-Run Probe in Kochi
By Drooid · · How we work
In this breakdown
01
Background & Context
On the night of October 25, a 17-year-old son of an additional district judge drove a 2012 turbo-diesel Mercedes-Benz at high speed and struck the scooter of 55-year-old roadside-food vendor Jayabalakrishnan in Cheranalloor, Kochi. The teenager was first charged under Section 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for causing death by negligence and released on bail. After protests by the victim’s family, the charge was upgraded to Section 105 BNS (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and the juvenile was taken into custody again. The vehicle is registered to the boy’s father, the additional district judge, who was later named an accused under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act.
02
Timeline
- October 25 – Mercedes collides with Jayabalakrishnan’s scooter; the teenager is arrested and released on bail.
- October 26 – Victim’s children protest, demanding the judge’s arrest and police accountability.
- October 27 – ADGP P Vijayan visits the police station, meets the family, and submits a report citing lapses.
- October 28 – Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala announces the transfer of Police Commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar and the suspension of four officers; R Nishanthini is appointed as the new commissioner. The district sessions court denies bail to the minor driver and his acquaintance.
Visual evidence
Images from the story
03
Data & Statistics
- Victim: Jayabalakrishnan, 55, roadside eatery operator.
- Driver: 17-year-old son of an additional district judge; car registered to the judge.
- Vehicle speed: video shows the Mercedes travelling at approximately 104 km/h.
- Police actions: four officers (Station House Officer Viswajith V S, Circle Inspector Syam Kumar K S, Grade Assistant Sub-Inspector Manoj K T, Senior Civil Police Officer Arun Joshy) suspended.
- Legal provisions: Sections 281 and 106(1) BNS (rash driving, death by negligence), later amended to Section 105 BNS (culpable homicide); Section 199A Motor Vehicles Act applied to the judge-father.
04
Official Statements & Responses
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala told the Kerala Assembly that the police made a “grave error” by initially registering a lesser charge and that the investigation would be reviewed by the Director General of Police.
ADGP P Vijayan reported that the preliminary police report indicated the teenager was not under the influence of alcohol and that blood samples had been collected. He emphasized examining the responsibility of the vehicle’s registered owner.
Police Commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar said the investigation follows the Juvenile Justice Act and that the vehicle owner’s liability is being examined. He expressed support for the victim’s family.
The Kerala High Court granted permission to arraign the judge as an accused, and the District Crime Branch (DCB) has taken over evidence collection, including CCTV footage from the judge’s Aluva residence.
05
Verbatim Quotes
- “The SHO was suspended for doing something against the law. But what has happened in the police station is unheard of in Keralam because the accused enjoys the protection of the police and the victim has to run from pillar to post. It took almost 32 hours for justice to be served. This shows the present situation of law and order,” — Muraleedharan
06
What’s Next
The District Crime Branch continues its evidence-collection raid and is seeking to cancel the juvenile’s bail. The judge remains an accused under Section 199A, and further legal proceedings are expected.