Kochi: Four police officers, including the station house officer (SHO), have been suspended over lapses in the investigation into the fatal Cheranalloor Mercedes-Benz crash involving the minor son of a judge. 

The officers suspended are SHO Viswajith, CI Shyam Kumar, Grade SI Manoj and CPO Arun Jith.

The action follows an initial assessment that found lapses in the police investigation. On the Home Minister’s instructions, a team led by ADGP P Vijayan was appointed to examine whether the police had failed to follow due procedure.

The case has since been transferred to the Crime Branch for further investigation.

Crime Branch records statements

As part of the investigation, the Crime Branch has recorded the statements of the 17-year-old accused and his mother. Police have also sought permission from the Kerala High Court Chief Justice to question the judge, who is the teenager’s father.

The police said further steps would be taken once the required permission is granted.

ADGP P Vijayan had earlier said that any lapses by the police would be examined strictly and that there would be no distinction between a police officer and a judge when it came to legal action.

Judge also faces action

The judge who owns the Mercedes-Benz has been booked under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act for allegedly allowing his minor son to drive the vehicle.

The Kerala High Court had also considered disciplinary action against the judicial officer following his reported visit to the police station after the accident. The matter was referred for consideration by the High Court’s Administrative Committee.

Fatal accident in Cheranalloor

The accident occurred in the early hours of Sunday on Container Road in Cheranalloor. Jayapalakrishnan, who ran an eatery near the Sree Krishnaswamy temple in Chittoor, died after the Mercedes-Benz allegedly struck his scooter from behind.

CCTV footage showed the judge’s son taking the car out of an apartment complex in Companypady, Aluva, at 1.36 am. Investigators also found indications that he had driven vehicles before, despite reportedly telling them that he had learnt to drive by watching YouTube videos.