Hit-and-run: Kochi police commissioner transferred after crash involving judge’s son

Kochi City Police Commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar has been transferred, along with the suspension of four personnel.KOCHI: The Kerala government on Wednesday transferred Kochi city police commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar and suspended four police personnel over alleged lapses in the investigation into a fatal accident involving a Mercedes-Benz allegedly driven by the 17-year-old son of an additional district judge.The action follows scrutiny of the police response to the death of Jayabalakrishnan, a 55-year-old scooter rider who was hit by the car in Cheranallur.The case came under further scrutiny after the victim’s family protested against the initial charges registered by police.R Nishanthini will replace Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar as Kochi city police commissioner, while P Prakash has been appointed inspector general of police, South Region. Prakash will also continue to hold charge of the State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB).A government order announcing the transfers was issued following directions from the home minister.Four police personnel suspendedThe suspended personnel are station house officer and sub-inspector Viswajith V S, circle inspector Syam Kumar K S, grade assistant sub-inspector Manoj K T and senior civil police officer Arun Joshy.Home minister Ramesh Chennithala announced the suspensions in the assembly on Tuesday, citing serious lapses in the handling of the case.The disciplinary action comes amid questions over how the accident was initially investigated and why the charges were subsequently changed.Why the charges were changedPolice initially registered a case under provisions relating to death caused by negligence, based on the first information statement (FIS).The case was later altered to Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with culpable homicide, after investigators said evidence indicated that the Mercedes-Benz was being driven at excessive speed.The change followed protests by the victim’s family over the initial handling of the case.What happened on Container Road?Jayabalakrishnan, a native of Manjali who ran a roadside eatery, was reportedly returning home when the accident occurred at around 2.20 am.The Mercedes-Benz allegedly rammed into his scooter from behind on Container Road near Maraparambu in Cheranallur. He was taken to hospital but later died.The car is registered in the name of the teenager’s father, an additional district judge.Teenager granted bail; police seek cancellationThe teenager was produced before the Juvenile Justice Board, which granted him bail. Police have since approached the court seeking cancellation of the bail, according to ADGP (law and order) P Vijayan.A preliminary police report indicated that the teenager was not under the influence of alcohol. His blood samples were collected for further analysis.The transfer of the Kochi police chief and suspension of the four personnel mark further action in a case that has drawn scrutiny over the investigation and the initial charges.