Keralam: Judge's Minor Son Gets Bail in Cheranalloor Fatal Crash
The minor, the son of a judicial officer, was driving a Mercedes-Benz that collided with a scooter on Cheranalloor Container Road in Kochi early Sunday morning
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The 17-year-old accused in the fatal Cheranalloor road accident case was granted bail again after being produced before the Juvenile Justice Board. The decision was strongly opposed by the victim’s family.
The minor, the son of a judicial officer, was driving a Mercedes-Benz that collided with a scooter on Cheranalloor Container Road in Kochi early Sunday morning, killing Jayabalakrishnan, 55, a resident of Manjali.
Police took the minor into custody following the accident and released him on station bail by Sunday evening. The move triggered widespread protests by the victim’s family, local residents and various organisations outside the Cheranalloor police station, prompting Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala to call for immediate action and assure that the law would take its course.
Protesters, including family members, staged a sit-in and vowed not to leave until the accused was taken back into custody. During the demonstration, Jayabalakrishnan’s daughter collapsed and was taken to hospital.
As the protests continued into the night, police took the juvenile back into custody and produced him before the Juvenile Justice Board.
Police disclosed that the car was travelling at 104 kmph, with visuals related to speeding reportedly recovered from the accused’s mobile phone. He has been booked under Sections 181 and 183 of the Motor Vehicles Act for driving without a licence and overspeeding.
Supreme Court lawyer Subhash Theekadan has filed a separate complaint with the Cheranalloor police seeking the registration of a criminal case against the juvenile’s father, who is reportedly the owner of the vehicle, under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act.
The provision holds a parent or vehicle owner criminally liable in certain cases involving offences committed by minors, carrying a penalty of up to three years’ imprisonment and a fine of Rs 25,000.
The complaint also seeks cancellation of the vehicle’s registration for one year and a ban on issuing a driving or learner’s licence to the juvenile until he turns 25. It further calls for a detailed investigation into how the minor obtained the vehicle, along with an examination of its ownership and registration details.
Citing a Kerala High Court precedent, the advocate has sought an independent investigation into the parent’s legal liability. He also said he would approach the Registrar General of the Kerala High Court for administrative scrutiny, given that the juvenile’s father is reportedly a judicial officer.