Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Thursday directed police not to arrest an Additional District and Sessions Judge in a case linked to a fatal road accident involving his 17-year-old son. The judge's car allegedly struck a scooter in Kochi, resulting in the death of 55-year-old Jayabalakrishnan. The deceased's family stated they were disappointed with the court's directive but ultimately respected the legal decision.
Justice Kauser Edappagath issued the protection order after hearing arguments from both the state and the judge's counsel regarding his anticipatory bail application. Alongside barring the arrest, the court instructed the judge to fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation. The victim's family has filed a separate petition seeking to join the legal proceedings, which the court agreed to consider at a later date.
The judge had approached the High Court seeking anticipatory bail after law enforcement named him as an accused party in the fatal incident. The collision occurred during the early hours of Sunday along Container Road at Marapparambu in Cheranalloor. Police reported that Jayabalakrishnan, a South Chittoor resident who operated a local roadside eatery, was riding his scooter home when he was hit by an allegedly speeding Mercedes-Benz registered under the judge's name.
Initially, authorities filed a case under Section 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for causing death through negligence, and the minor driver was released on police station bail on Sunday evening. That initial release sparked immediate public protests outside the Cheranalloor police station, where activists and the victim's children demanded the formal arrest and production of the accused before the Juvenile Justice Board.
Following intervention by senior police officials and a preliminary inquiry, authorities upgraded the charges to invoke Section 105 of the BNS, concerning culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Although the Juvenile Justice Board subsequently granted bail to the minor, investigators named his father as an accused in the wider case. Police interrogated the judge on Wednesday and planned for additional questioning on Thursday afternoon.
Bhadrakeerthi, the daughter of the deceased, told reporters that her family remains committed to pursuing justice through legal channels. She acknowledged the setback while reiterating their resolve to consult with legal counsel regarding the next steps, emphasizing that they will not back down in their pursuit of accountability.