The police conducted searches at the residence of an Additional District Judge in Keralam's Kochi, days after a Mercedes-Benz, allegedly driven by the judicial officer's minor son, was involved in a deadly crash.CCTV footage was also collected during the raid, which took place on Tuesday, October 27.The searches came a day after the police arraigned the judge as an accused under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act, which holds a juvenile's guardian or the registered owner of the vehicle liable for an offence committed by the minor.According to sources cited by news agency PTI, the permission to arraign the Additional District Judge as an accused was granted on Monday, October 26, by the Kerala High Court. On Sunday, October 25, a 55-year-old man named Jayabalakrishnan was killed when his scooter was struck by a speeding Mercedes-Benz in Kochi's Cheranalloor.The luxury car was registered in the judge's name and was allegedly driven by his 17-year-old son.
The teen was initially released on station bail hours after the incident, but was taken into custody again after protests by the victim's family and local residents.He was subsequently produced before the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB), which granted him bail again, triggering fresh protests and questions over the police's handling of the case.Keralam Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Tuesday strongly criticised the JJB for granting bail to the boy even before the victim's body was laid to rest.Replying to an adjournment motion moved by CPI(M) MLA AC Moideen on various issues, including the fatal crash, he admitted lapses on the part of the police and said the government would take strong action against those responsible.Chennithala said that when the police sought to produce the minor accused before the magistrate on the night of the incident, the magistrate had reportedly asked them to bring him the next day.However, the police insisted on producing him that night, following which bail was granted, he said.The minister said the police had initially failed to invoke the appropriate legal provision relating to culpable homicide.According to Chennithala, he made enquiries and immediately contacted the Director General of Police (DGP) to point out the seriousness of the matter after receiving information about it.4 COPS SUSPENDED OVER KOCHI CRASHOn Tuesday, Chennithala informed the state Assembly that, on his direction, Additional Superintendent of Police (Law and Order) P Vijayan had visited the victim's house and spoken to the family members.Based on a brief report submitted by the officer to the DGP, the government had decided to suspend four police personnel – a Circle Inspector, a Station House Officer, a Grade Sub-Inspector and an Assistant Civil Police Officer – in connection with the incident, he said.During the day, the House also witnessed a walkout by the opposition LDF over the police's handling of the case.- Ends(With inputs from PTI)