Kochi Cyber Police Book 16 For Revealing Identity Of Minor In Cheranalloor Merc Crash
The case was reportedly initiated following directions from the Ernakulam Chief Judicial Magistrate Court and involves ten Facebook accounts and six Instagram accounts, many reportedly managed by social media influencers.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kochi cybercrime police have filed a case against 16 social media users for disclosing the identity of the 17-year-old involved in the fatal Cheranalloor Mercedes crash, subjecting him and his family to online harassment and threats.
The case was reportedly initiated following directions from the Ernakulam Chief Judicial Magistrate Court and involves ten Facebook accounts and six Instagram accounts, many reportedly managed by social media influencers. Police have contacted Meta to request the removal of the offending posts and the preservation of digital evidence.
The Mercedes, driven by the teenager, struck scooterist Jayabalakrishnan, 55, a local eatery owner, killing him instantly. Police have invoked Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, which prohibits revealing the identities of minors involved in legal proceedings. Additionally, Section 351 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, addressing criminal intimidation, has been applied in response to reported threats against the teenager and his family.
Investigators stated that additional information will be gathered after reviewing the video of the accused. They are also scrutinising posts reportedly made by individuals based outside India. The police action comes after the court expressed serious concerns over the dissemination of the juvenile’s identity, photographs, and other personal details on social media.
The court questioned how confidential case records and images of the minor became publicly accessible and what measures have been taken against those responsible for their circulation.