Kerala Minister Admits Police Mishandled Fatal Kochi Crash

Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala told the state Assembly on Monday. He said police made a mistake by not adding a culpable-homicide charge at the start of the case over a fatal Kochi crash. The admission followed the death of 55-year-old Jayabalakrishnan, who was killed when a Mercedes-Benz allegedly driven by a judge’s 17-year-old son struck his scooter. Chennithala said the government would act over the lapse. ^1,4

The lapse began after the crash early Sunday on Container Road in Cheranalloor. Jayabalakrishnan, who ran a roadside food stall, was riding home after work when the car hit him from behind; he died on the way to the hospital. Police first charged the teenager with causing death by negligence and released him on bail at the station. After protests by the family, officers added a more serious charge and brought him before the Juvenile Justice Board, which granted bail. Police later charged the boy’s father, an Additional District and Sessions Judge, as the car’s registered owner. ^1,5,9

The bail has become a flashpoint because the family says police initially treated the teenager too leniently. Chennithala said he directed senior officers to review the case and told the Assembly that investigators should have included the culpable-homicide charge from the start. He also said police had been told to seek the teenager’s release on bail to be canceled, and that action against the father would depend on the investigation. The boy’s family says he had driven before, while reports cite social media videos; those claims remain part of the investigation, not established court findings. ^1,2,6

The investigation now faces closer scrutiny. Police said they would hold an internal review of their handling of the case, and the probe is being transferred to the District Crime Branch. A separate report says a special investigation team is being formed. Chennithala said police lapses could lead to action against officers. Jayabalakrishnan’s family has vowed to keep seeking accountability, while the Juvenile Justice Board’s bail decision and any attempt to reverse it remain key next steps. ^2,5,12