Police in Kochi on Monday, 26 October registered a case against an Additional District Judge whose 17-year-old son allegedly drove a Mercedes-Benz at high speed and killed a scooter rider in Cheranelloor, after securing permission from the Kerala High Court to proceed against the judicial officer. Authorities have also announced they will shortly approach the Ernakulam District Sessions Court seeking cancellation of the teenager's bail.

How the Fatal Accident Unfolded

The crash took place around 2.20 a.m. on Sunday on Container Road, Cheranelloor, near Kochi, when the Mercedes-Benz allegedly driven by the teenager rammed into the scooter of Jayabalakrishnan, 55, a native of Manjali. Jayabalakrishnan died at the spot. He ran a small roadside eatery near Chittoor temple and was returning home after shutting his shop for the night. His death has left his wife and three children without their primary breadwinner.

According to investigators, the teenager was a habitual driver of the vehicle and had taken it out late at night to record a social media reel of himself driving at high speed. Footage recovered from his mobile phone shows the car travelling at high speed shortly before the collision.

Initial Bail and Public Backlash

The teenager was taken into custody after the accident but released on station bail on Sunday evening. The swift release sparked immediate protests by the victim's family and local residents. He was subsequently taken back into custody and produced before the Juvenile Justice Board, which granted him bail — a decision that intensified public anger and triggered a wave of criticism on social media.

Notably, Jayabalakrishnan's daughter collapsed during a sit-in protest outside the police station and was hospitalised. She has vowed to continue the fight for justice, and the family has demanded strict action against all those found responsible.

Case Against the Judge and Police Scrutiny

Police registered a case against the judge — who owns the Mercedes-Benz involved — after approaching the Kerala High Court for the requisite permission to act against a sitting judicial officer. Investigators are examining his liability under the Motor Vehicles Act for allegedly permitting his minor son, who did not hold a driving licence, to operate the vehicle.

The teenager has been charged under Sections 181 and 183 of the Motor Vehicles Act for allegedly driving without a licence and for overspeeding.

Government Response and Accountability Measures

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala directed urgent action after the teenager's initial release triggered outrage. The Additional Director General of Police in charge of law and order has been asked to examine alleged lapses in the case's handling. A show-cause notice is also to be issued to Kochi City Police Commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar.

This is not the first time in India that a case involving a minor driving a luxury vehicle has exposed gaps between legal procedure and public accountability — the incident draws direct comparisons to earlier high-profile juvenile road fatality cases that prompted calls for tighter enforcement. With bail cancellation proceedings imminent and the High Court already in the picture, the case is set to remain under intense judicial and public scrutiny.