Kerala court upholds bail granted to judge’s son in Mercedes hit-and-run: ‘Public sentiment cannot…’

The Kerala High Court has upheld the bail granted to a minor accused in a Mercedes-Benz hit-and-run case, ruling that public sentiment cannot justify deviating from legal procedures. Meanwhile, the court also granted pre-arrest bail to the minor's father, an additional district court judge, stating that no direct criminal act was attributed to him.

The court emphasized that a child in conflict with law (CCL) is entitled to bail under Section 12 of the Juvenile Justice Act, regardless of the severity of the alleged offense. The court dismissed arguments that apprehending the CCL was necessary to protect him or address public sentiment, noting that there was no evidence of immediate danger or the child's welfare requiring police custody.

The judge, Kavitha Gangadharan, made the ruling, cautioning the investigating agency against undermining the protections afforded to children under the JJ Act, even in cases that may prompt public outrage.