Fatal crash involving Keralam judge’s son puts police, judiciary under scrutiny

The investigation into the fatal Cheranalloor road accident involving the 17-year-old son of Additional District and Sessions Judge Rino Francis has widened, with police approaching the Ernakulam Sessions Court to seek cancellation of the teenager’s bail.

Sources indicated that disciplinary action against the judge, who has been named as an accused in the case, is under consideration over his alleged role in allowing his minor son access to the Mercedes-Benz involved in the crash. The handling of the case has reportedly embarrassed the judiciary, with sources suggesting the judge’s conduct could invite action for bringing disrepute to the judicial fraternity. No formal decision had been announced at the time of writing.

Judge named as accused

Rino Francis, the Additional District and Sessions Judge, who serves at the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal in Irinjalakuda, has been questioned by the police as part of the investigation. According to local channels, investigators questioned him at his apartment in Aluva. He reportedly told the police that his son had taken the car without his knowledge.

Also read | Kerala judge booked after minor son’s Mercedes crash kills scooter rider

The judge has already been named as an accused in the case in his capacity as the registered owner of the vehicle. Police have invoked Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act, which deals with offences involving juveniles driving motor vehicles and the liability of owners or guardians.

The accident occurred around 2.30 am on Sunday on Container Road at Cheranalloor (near Kochi) when the Mercedes-Benz allegedly driven by the teenager rammed into the scooter of Jayabalakrishnan, 55, a roadside eatery owner from Manjali. He died in the accident while returning home after closing his shop.

Investigators suspect that the car was travelling at more than 100 kmph. Police have reportedly recovered mobile phone footage showing the vehicle being driven at high speed shortly before the collision. The teenager allegedly did not possess a driving licence.

Police response under scrutiny

The case has triggered widespread criticism of the police after the teenager was initially booked for rash driving and causing death by negligence and released on station bail.

Following protests by Jayabalakrishnan’s family, local residents and youth organisations, the police added Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and took the teenager into custody again. Jayabalakrishnan's young daughter Bhadrakeerthi, in particular, said the family would fight for justice.

Relaying her experience with the authorities and the accused's family, she recounted: "My cousin was managing all the police paperwork, but the culprit's father was incredibly aggressive towards us. He snapped, saying, 'You have no right to question me or teach me the law. Talk to the police if you have an issue, not me.' It is appalling that after his son took my father's life, he is standing there shielding him.''

Bhadrakeerthi staged a nearly 12-hour dharna at the police station and threatened to intensify protests on Tuesday.

However, the Juvenile Justice Board subsequently granted him bail, citing the absence of previous criminal antecedents. The police have now approached the Sessions Court seeking cancellation of that bail.

The initial handling of the case has also come under scrutiny from the government. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has acknowledged lapses in the police response and directed the authorities to initiate appropriate action. The case has since been transferred from the Cheranalloor police to the District Crime Branch.

ADGP seeks commissioner’s explanation

ADGP (Law and Order) P Vijayan has sought an explanation from Kochi City Police Commissioner S Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar regarding the alleged administrative and investigative shortcomings. Further action against police personnel responsible for the initial handling of the case is also expected to be considered.

Jayabalakrishnan’s family has continued to demand stringent action against both the teenager and his father. The family has called for the judge’s suspension and opposed what it considers preferential treatment in the handling of the case.

The protests intensified after the teenager was initially released on bail, raising questions about whether the police had acted with the same urgency they would have shown if the accused had no influential family connections.

Kerala High Court steps into case

The Kerala High Court has sought a report on the incident and permitted the registration of a case against the judge, according to reports. Any disciplinary action against the judicial officer would be a separate process from the criminal investigation and would have to follow the applicable procedures.

Also read | Keralam Mercedes crash: Judge’s minor son taken into custody after protests

Meanwhile, the Motor Vehicles Department is considering measures against the vehicle and the teenager under the relevant provisions of the law. These reportedly include suspension of the vehicle’s registration and restrictions on the teenager obtaining a driving licence until the age of 25.

The Cheranalloor accident comes close on the heels of the recent Nedumbassery Mini Cooper accident, once again bringing reckless driving and accountability into sharp focus. The two incidents have also raised questions about whether the law is being enforced uniformly when minors and people from influential backgrounds are involved.