Kochi Mercedes-Benz crash: Police invoke homicide charge against judge’s son amid public outcry

Kochi, Kerala: A 17-year-old boy, the son of an Additional Sessions Judge, has been booked under non-bailable charges of culpable homicide after his speeding luxury car rammed into a scooter in Kochi on Sunday, killing the rider. The victim, identified as 55-year-old Jayabalakrishnan (also reported by police as 54) from Manjali, had just wrapped up work at his street food stall and was riding home when tragedy struck.

Midnight crash leaves two-wheeler completely wrecked

The fatal crash occurred near Cheranalloor between 2:15 am and 2:30 am on Sunday. Jayabalakrishnan was travelling along the road when the speeding Mercedes-Benz car—officially registered in the name of the judge—hit his two-wheeler squarely from behind.

The force of the collision was devastating. The scooter was completely crushed, items the vendor was carrying were strewn across the road, and Jayabalakrishnan was flung onto the tarmac.

His niece reached the area shortly after receiving the news. "He died on the spot," she said, recounting the condition of the vehicle and the scattered items at the scene.

The 17-year-old boy was taken into custody by police following the incident. In his statement to officers, the teenager claimed that heavy rain in the area had reduced visibility, making it difficult to clearly see the road. A preliminary police report noted that the boy was not under the influence of alcohol, though his blood samples have been sent for detailed laboratory analysis.

Outrage erupts over swift station bail

What began as an investigation into a road collision soon escalated into intense public anger over how the police handled the suspect. Initially, authorities registered a case under bailable sections, including Section 281 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for reckless driving and causing death by negligence, releasing the boy on station bail by Sunday afternoon.

The quick release provoked sharp criticism and controversy. Jayabalakrishnan’s grieving family voiced deep frustration at the police station, with his niece alleging that the judge spoke down to her in a disrespectful tone when she asked why a minor without a licence was permitted to drive the car.

"We will move forward with the case, especially in view of the judge's attitude. Also, it should be a lesson to everyone not to drive a vehicle without a license," she said.

The case also drew high-level political scrutiny. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala registered his strong disapproval of the lenient action and directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to initiate strict proceedings. 

Police bring non-bailable homicide charges

Following public protests and top-level intervention, investigators significantly escalated the charges. The police invoked Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), which is a non-bailable offence.

With the non-bailable charges formally added, police confirmed that the 17-year-old suspect will be taken back into custody as the investigation proceeds.