{
  "id": 17340870,
  "title": "Keralam Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala warns of crackdown on intoxicated driving",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/keralam-home-minister-ramesh-chennithala-warns-of-crackdown-on",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-31T04:47:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/keralam-home-minister-ramesh-chennithala-warns-of-crackdown-on-intoxicated-driving/article71648253.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kerala's Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has cautioned that a stringent police crackdown is imminent on driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. The warning came after Chennithala visited the family of Jayabalakrishnan, a victim of a fatal accident where a speeding car, allegedly driven by a minor son of an additional judge, struck him in Cheranalloor near Kochi. Chennithala emphasized that accidents resulting from intoxicated drivers claiming the lives of innocent people are rampant in the state and must not be tolerated. He called upon the public to cooperate and not complain later. When asked about making the law more stringent following the tragic incident, the minister stated that the government would carefully consider the suggestion. Additionally, Chennithala reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring justice for the victim's family, stating that law and justice are equal for everyone, regardless of their status. The police have already sought court permission to revoke the minor accused's bail, which the family finds satisfactory. However, Chennithala noted that the appeal filed for suspending the bail's suspension was overly detailed, revealing the minor's identity. Ernakulam Additional District and Sessions Court has scheduled to hear the appeal on Saturday. Jayabalakrishnan's daughter, Bhadra Keerthy, expressed her confidence in the assurances provided by both the Chief Minister and the Home Minister. Chennithala was accompanied by T.M. Hibi Eden, MP, T.J. Vinod, MLA, and District Police Chief (Kochi City) R. Nishanthini during the visit.",
  "summary": "Minister visits family of Cheranalloor crash victim Jayabalakrishnan, says accidents caused by intoxicated drivers, claiming the lives of innocent people, have become widespread in the State",
  "key_points": [
    "Kerala's Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala warns of crackdown on intoxicated driving.",
    "Chennithala reaffirms government's commitment to justice for the victim's family."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}