Kochi police chief Kaliraj Mahesh has been removed from his post following a controversy over alleged mishandling of a road accident case involving the 17-year-old son of an additional district judge.
The action against the Kochi City police commissioner comes amid mounting criticism over alleged police lapses in the accident case
Four other policemen were suspended yesterday after a senior officer went to the accident site, examined police records and met the victim’s family. The action against the Kochi City police commissioner comes amid mounting criticism over alleged police lapses in the case and demands for accountability. The judge allegedly got the footage deleted from his son’s phone. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala had assured the assembly that action would be taken against officials found responsible. The case was subsequently strengthened, and the boy’s father, who owned the car, was also named as an accused. A police team went to the judge’s flat last night for a search. The victim’s family has approached the high court and the probe has been handed over to the Crime Branch.
The minor son of the judge who drove a Mercedes-Benz had rammed a scooty, killing a 55-year-old man, Jayabalakrishnan.
Investigators have also recovered footage from his mobile phone showing the car travelling at high speed shortly before the accident.
