India
oi-Madhuri Adnal
Kochi City Police Commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar has been removed from his post over the alleged mishandling of a hit-and-run case involving a 17-year-old boy, the son of an Additional District and Sessions Judge. R Nishanthini has been appointed as the new commissioner.
The move follows the suspension of four personnel attached to Cheranalloor police station after a preliminary inquiry into the case. Those suspended are CI K.S. Shyam Kumar, SHO V.S. Viswajith, Grade ASI K.T. Manoj and SCPO Arun Joshi.
Kochi Police Commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar was removed for alleged mishandling of a fatal hit-and-run case involving an Additional District and Sessions Judge’s son, with R Nishanthini appointed as the new commissioner.
The incident has also drawn attention in the Kerala Assembly. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala assured the House that officials would be held accountable for any procedural lapses and criticised the alleged leniency in handling the case.
Jayabalakrishnan, a 54-year-old man from Manjali, was killed when a Mercedes-Benz car allegedly driven by the teenager hit his scooter from behind in Kochi in the early hours of Sunday, October 25.
According to the police, the impact proved fatal. The car is registered in the name of the judge, they said.
The teenager was taken into police custody following the accident. A case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in connection with alleged reckless driving and causing death by negligence.
The preliminary police report states that the teenager was not under the influence of alcohol. His blood samples have been collected for further analysis.
Jayabalakrishnan’s niece told reporters that he earned his living by running a food stall and was returning home when the accident occurred.
She alleged that the car was travelling at high speed, citing the damage to her uncle’s scooter and the belongings scattered across the accident site.
“He died on the spot,” she said.
The woman also alleged that the judge spoke to her disrespectfully at the police station when she questioned why his minor son had been allowed to drive the car.
She said the family would pursue the case and stressed that the incident should serve as a warning against driving without a valid licence.
