Hit-and-run: Kochi police commissioner transferred after crash involving judge’s son

In a recent turn of events in Kochi, the city police commissioner, Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar, has been transferred and four other police personnel have been suspended following an investigation into a fatal hit-and-run accident. The incident involved a 17-year-old son of an additional district judge allegedly driving a Mercedes-Benz that crashed into a 55-year-old scooter rider, Jayabalakrishnan, on Container Road in Cheranallur.

Jayabalakrishnan, a resident of Manjali, was heading home when the collision occurred around 2.20 am, resulting in his death at the hospital.

The case initially attracted scrutiny after the victim's family protested against the charges registered by the police, which were based on the First Information Statement (FIS) for death caused by negligence. However, the charges were later amended to Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to culpable homicide, following the revelation that evidence pointed towards the Mercedes-Benz being driven at excessive speed.

The government responded to the criticism and announced the transfer of Commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar, appointing R Nishanthini as his replacement. Additionally, P Prakash was appointed Inspector General of Police (South Region) and retained charge of the State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB). The four personnel suspended from duty include Station House Officer Viswajith V S, Sub-inspector Viswajith V S, Circle Inspector Syam Kumar K S, Grade Assistant Sub-inspector Manoj K T, and Senior Civil Police Officer Arun Joshy.

These actions were taken by the home minister, Ramesh Chennithala, after receiving directions from the government.

The incident has drawn attention to the quality of the police investigation and the handling of the case, prompting protests by the victim's family and leading to further scrutiny of the procedure.