Kochi: The Keralam government on Wednesday replaced Police Commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh amid a row over the police response to a fatal road accident in the city involving the 17-year-old son of an Additional District Judge.
Notably, R. Nishanthini will replace Mahesh as Kochi City Police Commissioner.
The move follows growing criticism over alleged police lapses in handling the case, with calls for accountability intensifying. The controversy has also gained political significance as the state Assembly is currently in session.
On Tuesday evening, the government suspended four personnel posted at Cheranalloor police station over alleged negligence in handling the case.
The suspensions came after ADGP P. Vijayan conducted a preliminary inquiry, visiting the accident site, reviewing police records and meeting the victim’s family. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala had assured the Assembly that action would be taken against officials found responsible for lapses.
Meanwhile, on Monday, the Kochi City Police booked an Additional District Judge whose 17-year-old son allegedly drove a luxury car that fatally hit a scooterist in Cheranalloor. The Kerala High Court is also reportedly considering disciplinary action against the judicial officer, with the judge in charge of Thrissur district recommending his immediate suspension and a detailed inquiry.
The judge, who is posted at a court in Irinjalakkuda in Thrissur district, has been booked under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act.
The provision holds a juvenile’s guardian or the owner of the vehicle liable for an offence committed by a minor, subject to the conditions laid down in the law. The judge is the registered owner of the Mercedes-Benz allegedly involved in the accident.
The victim, Jayabalakrishnan, 55, a resident of the Chittur area in Cheranalloor, ran an eatery near the Sree Krishnaswamy Temple. He was returning home after closing his establishment when the accident occurred at around 2.20 am on Sunday at Maraparambu on Container Road. He died at the spot.
According to the FIR, the teenager was driving alone from Vallarpadam towards Kalamassery when the car hit a scooter travelling in the same direction.
The police initially registered a case against the minor under Sections 281 and 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deal with rash driving and causing death by a rash or negligent act. He was released on station bail under Section 8 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
Later, the police also added Section 105 of the BNS, which deals with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, amid protests and criticism over the teenager’s initial release.