Facing mounting public outrage over the death of 55-year-old Jayabalakrishnan, the Kerala government on Tuesday accepted police lapses in the investigation into the Mercedes-Benz crash involving a judge’s minor son and began taking corrective measures.
Acknowledging lapses in the investigation, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Monday told the Assembly that strict action would be taken against officers responsible for failing to include appropriate legal provisions in the initial FIR.
Following instructions from Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, four police personnel have been suspended, and an FIR was updated with Section 199A to include the judge, who is the owner of the car. The government has also directed police to approach the sessions court seeking cancellation of the minor’s bail. The action follows a visit to Kochi by the ADGP of Law and Order, P. Vijayan, to look into the concerns raised by Jayabalakrishnan’s family. He also criticised the haste in securing bail for the minor. The family alleges that the handling of the case, from the initial charges to the conduct of officers inside the police station, reflected an effort to shield the accused. The provision of culpable homicide not amounting to murder was added only after the family protested against alleged leniency.
The family has accused police of favouring the judge and his 17-year-old son, who drove the Mercedes into Jayabalakrishnan’s scooter, killing him.
Police produced the boy before a magistrate on the night of the incident and insisted on proceeding that night despite being asked to return the following day, according to the minister.
