Kerala Police chief defends Kochi crash probe, says action taken against officials

Kerala's police chief defended the force's response to the fatal Kochi crash involving a judge's minor son. The omitted initial charge and station bail have intensified concerns over accountability and public trust.Police have named the judge as an accused under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act. (File Photo: ITG)Kochi,Nov 1, 2026 11:54 ISTKerala Police Chief Ravada A Chandrasekhar on Sunday said strong action was taken after a Mercedes-Benz driven by the 17-year-old son of an Additional District Sessions Judge hit a scooter and killed its rider in Kochi, news agency Press Trust of India reported. He said the only issue was that a relevant section of the law was not included in the initial FIR.Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala had earlier admitted in the Assembly that there were lapses by the police and suspended officials who initially handled the case. There were also reports that IG Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar was transferred from his post as Kochi City Police Commissioner following lapses in the investigation.“Actually, if you look into the incident, strong measures were taken by the police. There was uncertainty over adding one offence. In every case, the first FIR is registered, after which further charges are included,” Chandrasekhar told reporters, according to PTI.The accident occurred at Cheranalloor in Kochi on October 25 when the Mercedes-Benz hit a two-wheeler, killing 55-year-old Jayabalakrishnan. The victim's family alleged a conspiracy to weaken the case after the 17-year-old accused was initially granted bail at the police station. This triggered protests and raised questions over police accountability.The minor was later taken into custody after additional charges were added, but the Juvenile Justice Board subsequently granted him bail. The accused's father, who is a judge, was also named as an accused in the case. The Kerala High Court, however, directed the police not to arrest him.Chandrasekhar said discussions were under way within the police department on steps to gain public trust. He said the police crime conference scheduled for November 3 would discuss ways to strengthen public confidence in the force.“We are going to convene our conference on November 3. Discussions on these matters will be held on that day, and we will try to take appropriate measures,” he said.Asked about recently surfaced CCTV footage purportedly showing a group of Youth Congress workers assaulting a YouTuber inside Adoor police station in July, Chandrasekhar said the police were examining the matter.The footage purportedly showed Congress leader Sreena Devi Kunjamma, who had filed a complaint against the YouTuber, confronting him inside the police station.“Certainly, nobody can enter a police station and engage in such activities without any reason. I have told the Pathanamthitta SP to verify the matter and submit a report. We will take action accordingly,” Chandrasekhar said.He added that there was no issue with elected representatives visiting police stations, but any violation of the law would be investigated. “Whenever public representatives visit a police station, there is no problem with that. But if there is any legal violation, we will certainly conduct the necessary inquiry and collect the required evidence,” he said.Chandrasekhar was speaking after attending a parade at the SAP ground in Thiruvananthapuram as part of celebrations marking the 70th formation day of the Kerala Police. Chief Minister's Police Medals for distinguished service were presented to 281 police personnel at the ceremony.The police chief maintained that prompt action had been taken in the Kochi accident case despite the omission in the initial FIR, while saying that both the case and the alleged assault inside Adoor police station would be examined and appropriate action taken.- Ends