For a family in Kochi, a routine day ended with the loss of a loved one. Jayabalakrishnan, 55, was returning home after closing his roadside eatery when a Mercedes-Benz allegedly hit his scooter, killing him at the scene.
But the case did not end with the crash. The police response, the release of the minor allegedly behind the wheel and the involvement of his judge father have raised questions about accountability.
Why was the teenager initially released on bail? What led to fresh police action? And will the investigation bring answers to the family seeking justice?
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What Happened On Kochi’s Container Road?
The accident took place at around 2:20 am on Sunday, 25 October, near Maraparambu on Container Road in Cheranalloor, Kochi.
Jayabalakrishnan, 55, who ran a roadside eatery near Chittoor temple, was returning home after closing his shop when a Mercedes-Benz allegedly struck his scooter from behind. He died at the scene.
The car was reportedly travelling from Vallarpadam towards Kalamassery. Kochi City Police Commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar said preliminary evidence indicated that the vehicle had been travelling at more than 100 kmph.
According to the police, the car was registered in the name of an additional district and sessions judge posted at the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal in Irinjalakuda, Thrissur district. His 17-year-old son was allegedly driving it.
The teenager reportedly told investigators that rain and waterlogging had affected the circumstances of the collision.
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From Station Bail To A More Serious Charge
The police initially booked the teenager under Sections 281 and 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relating to rash driving on a public way and causing death by negligence.
He was released on station bail on Sunday, 25 October, under the provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
The decision angered Jayabalakrishnan’s family, who questioned the initial police response and demanded stricter action. Relatives and local residents protested outside Cheranalloor police station.
Following the protests, police added Section 105 of the BNS, which deals with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and took the teenager into custody again. He was subsequently produced before the Juvenile Justice Board in Ernakulam, which granted him bail, citing the absence of previous criminal antecedents.
The police have since moved to challenge that bail order. As of 28 October, the teenager remained out on bail, with proceedings seeking its cancellation under way.
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Why Was The Judge Booked?
On 26 October, police registered a case against the teenager’s father under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act.
The provision addresses offences committed by juveniles using motor vehicles and can make a vehicle’s owner or the child’s guardian liable, subject to the statutory conditions and available defences.
The judge was named in the case because the Mercedes-Benz was registered in his name. Police have been following the required procedures for action involving a serving judicial officer.
On 28 October, police searched his residence following directions from the Kerala High Court. A Crime Branch team and personnel from the Photographic Bureau inspected the premises and collected CCTV footage and other evidence, according to NDTV.
The investigation has also drawn attention to the teenager’s social media activity. It is reported that he had previously posted driving videos on a public Instagram account, including footage said to show high speeds. The account was reportedly made private and its posts removed after the crash.
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Police Face Questions Over Their Own Conduct
The controversy has extended beyond the alleged driving offence.
The Kerala government suspended four police personnel attached to Cheranalloor police station on 27 October over alleged lapses in handling the investigation. The action followed a preliminary review by Additional Director General of Police P Vijayan.
The allegations include the initial handling of the case and the treatment of the victim’s family. Relatives also alleged that a photograph of the teenager taken at the police station was deleted from a family member’s phone.
The investigation was transferred to the District Crime Branch. The Kochi City Police Commissioner was also transferred on 28 October amid concerns over the handling of the case.
Meanwhile, the Kerala High Court has taken up the matter, and police have sought the necessary judicial approval for further action against the judge.
Jayabalakrishnan’s family has said it will approach the High Court seeking action against both the teenager and his father. The family also plans to join the proceedings seeking cancellation of the teenager’s bail.
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The Bigger Question: Does The Law Work Equally For Everyone?
The case raises two connected questions: how should authorities respond when a minor is accused of a serious traffic offence, and how can the public trust an investigation when allegations of preferential treatment emerge?
Juvenile justice law provides a distinct legal process for children in conflict with the law. Bail, therefore, must be considered within that framework. But the teenager’s age does not remove the need to investigate the fatal collision thoroughly or establish responsibility under the applicable law.
The father’s position as a judicial officer adds another layer of scrutiny. The investigation must establish whether the legal requirements for action against the registered owner have been met, while following the procedures applicable to serving judges.
The suspension of police personnel, transfer of the investigation and search of the judge’s residence mark significant developments. The next steps include the examination of evidence, the proceedings over bail and decisions on further action against the judge.
For Jayabalakrishnan’s family, the immediate loss cannot be reversed. What the investigation can establish is whether the people responsible are held accountable through a process that is transparent, impartial and consistent with the law.
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TL;DR | News At A Glance
What happened in the Kochi Mercedes crash?
A Mercedes-Benz allegedly driven by a 17-year-old struck a scooter ridden by 55-year-old Jayabalakrishnan in Cheranalloor, Kochi, on 25 October 2026. He died at the scene.
Who was driving the Mercedes-Benz?
Police identified the driver as the 17-year-old son of an additional district and sessions judge. The car was registered in his father's name.
Why was the teenager taken into custody again?
Police initially released him on station bail. After protests by the victim's family, they added a charge under Section 105 of the BNS, relating to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and took him into custody again. The Juvenile Justice Board subsequently granted him bail.
Why was the judge booked?
Police invoked Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act because the judge was the registered owner of the car allegedly driven by his minor son.
Why did police search the judge's home?
On 28 October, police searched his residence on the Kerala High Court's directions and collected CCTV footage and other evidence as part of the investigation.
What action has been taken against the police?
Four police personnel were suspended over alleged lapses, the investigation was transferred to the District Crime Branch, and the Kochi City Police Commissioner was transferred on 28 October.
What happens next in the case?
Police are seeking cancellation of the teenager's bail, while the victim's family plans to approach the Kerala High Court seeking action against the teenager and his father.
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