The Kerala High Court on Thursday directed the police not to arrest an Additional District and Sessions Judge who was named as an accused following a road accident involving his 17-year-old son that claimed the life of a scooter rider in Cheranalloor.
Justice Kauser Edappagath issued the direction while considering the judge’s anticipatory bail petition. After hearing submissions from the prosecution and the judge’s counsel, the court also instructed him to cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
The deceased man’s family expressed disappointment over the order but said it would continue pursuing the case through legal channels.
Judge Named as Accused After Police Investigation
The judge sought anticipatory bail after the police included him among the accused in connection with the accident. A Mercedes-Benz registered in his name was involved in the collision that killed 55-year-old Jayabalakrishnan on Container Road at Marapparambu during the early hours of Sunday.
Jayabalakrishnan, a South Chittoor resident who operated a roadside eatery, was travelling home on his scooter when the collision occurred, according to the police.
The investigation initially proceeded under Section 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which concerns causing death by negligence. The police released the 17-year-old on station bail on Sunday evening.
However, the decision prompted demonstrations outside Cheranalloor police station. The victim’s son and daughter, along with activists, demanded that the minor be arrested and produced before the Juvenile Justice Board.
Senior police officers intervened, and the subsequent preliminary investigation led to the addition of Section 105 of the BNS, concerning culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
The Juvenile Justice Board later granted bail to the teenager. Police subsequently named his father, the Additional District and Sessions Judge, as an accused.
Investigators questioned the judge on Wednesday and had scheduled another round of questioning for Thursday afternoon, according to the police.
Victim’s Family Plans Further Legal Steps
Jayabalakrishnan’s daughter, Bhadrakeerthi, said the family respected the High Court’s decision despite being disappointed with the outcome.
She maintained that the family would consult its lawyer before determining its next course of action and remained committed to pursuing the matter legally.
Bhadrakeerthi also said the family would seek legal advice on how to proceed, given that a judge was an accused in the case.
Meanwhile, the family has filed an impleading petition before the High Court, which will be considered at a later stage.
