Published Oct 26, 2026 | 2:03 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 26, 2026 | 2:14 PM
The family has alleged that the teenager secured bail soon after arriving at the police station.
Synopsis: The Keralam government has ordered a Special Investigation Team probe into a fatal crash in Kochi in which a Mercedes-Benz driven by a 17-year-old, the son of an Additional Sessions Judge, rammed into a scooter from behind, killing its rider, Jayabalakrishnan. The decision followed Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala’s dissatisfaction with the police’s initial handling of the case. The police have arraigned the teenager’s father for allegedly allowing his minor son to drive.
The Keralam government has ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the fatal Cheranalloor crash in Kochi on Sunday, in which a Mercedes-Benz sedan driven by a 17-year-old rammed into a scooter from behind, killing its rider, Jayabalakrishnan.
The decision followed Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala’s dissatisfaction with the police’s initial handling of the case. The teenager is the son of an Additional Sessions Judge.
Jayapalakrishnan, a resident of Manjali was returning home when he was killed.
Jayabalakrishnan, a resident of Manjali who ran a roadside eatery, was returning home after work when the crash occurred. His family has accused the police of favouring the teenager and making them wait nearly 12 hours to receive Jayabalakrishnan’s mortal remains.
The police have invoked Sections 281 and 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against the teenager. The provisions deal with rash driving and causing death by negligence.
The police have also arraigned the judge for allegedly allowing his minor son to drive the car. Further action against the judicial officer will be considered after legal consultation and with the permission of a High Court judge.
Jayabalakrishnan’s family has alleged that the teenager secured bail soon after arriving at the police station. It plans to approach the Kerala High Court seeking justice.
The family has also dismissed the claim by the teenager’s father that his son was driving for the first time. They cited social media posts purportedly showing the teenager driving at speeds of up to 208 km/h before the accident.
Speaking in the Assembly on Monday, Chennithala said the police should have invoked the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, given the seriousness of the alleged offence. He said directions had been issued to initiate steps to cancel the bail granted to the juvenile and that the police had begun proceedings.
Chennithala said he had taken up the matter with the Kochi City Police Commissioner and subsequently with the State Police Chief after noticing the lapses. The State Police Chief and the Additional Director-General of Police (Law and Order) had intervened to ensure the necessary action, he said.
The Home Minister said he was surprised that the accused, who was produced before the juvenile magistrate, had been granted bail. He assured the Assembly that those responsible would face strict action, irrespective of their social or economic status.
The Cheranalloor crash is the second fatal accident in Keralam this month involving a young driver at the wheel of a luxury car. Earlier in October, three people, including two women, were killed when a car driven by a 19-year-old rammed into their scooter at Nedumbassery.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
