Kochi/Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 28 The Keralam government on Wednesday transferred Kochi City Police Commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar and appointed R Nishanthini in his place, as the Crime Branch questioned an Additional District Judge in connection with a fatal road accident allegedly involving his 17-year-old son driving a Mercedes-Benz car.
The developments came amid mounting criticism of the police investigation into the October 25 accident at Cheranalloor in Kochi, in which a 55-year-old roadside eatery owner, Jayabalakrishnan, was killed.
The questioning began at around 2.40 pm and continued until 5.30 pm, lasting nearly three hours, as investigators from the state crime branch sought to formally record the judge’s statement, according to sources.
The judge had earlier cooperated with the investigation team but had not agreed to have his statement officially recorded, sources said. He was summoned hours after the Crime Branch searched his flat in Aluva.
The search began on Tuesday night and continued into the early hours of Wednesday.
The police had named the judge, who serves at a court in Irinjalakuda in Thrissur district, as an accused in the case on Monday.
He was booked under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act, which holds a juvenile’s guardian or the registered owner of the vehicle liable for offences committed by the minor under the Act.
The government’s decision to transfer the city police chief came a day after four personnel attached to the Cheranalloor police station were suspended over alleged lapses in the investigation.
The case has triggered protests by the victim’s family and raised questions about the initial decision to release the minor on station bail and allegations of attempts to suppress evidence.
According to a government order, Nishanthini, an IPS officer of the 2008 batch, has been transferred from her post as Inspector General of Police, South Zone, and appointed Inspector General of Police and Commissioner of Police, Kochi City, with immediate effect.
P Prakash, an IPS officer of the 2004 batch who was serving as Inspector General of Police, State Crime Records Bureau, has been posted as Inspector General of Police, South Zone. He will also hold additional charge of the State Crime Records Bureau and the Cyber Crimes wing.
The transfer followed a preliminary inquiry by senior police officers into the alleged lapses in the case.
The state government had also transferred the investigation to the District Crime Branch, citing the sensitive nature of the matter.
The accident occurred in the early hours of October 25 at Cheranalloor.
Jayabalakrishnan, who ran a roadside eatery near Chittoor, was returning home on his scooter after closing his shop when the Mercedes-Benz allegedly hit his vehicle from behind. He died in the accident.
Preliminary findings indicated that the car was travelling at more than 100 kmph, according to the information available in the case.
Meanwhile, the police approached a court dealing with cases involving offences against women and children, seeking cancellation of the bail granted to the minor.
After hearing the matter, the court issued notice to the accused and posted the case for further consideration on October 30.
The investigation has brought renewed focus on the circumstances in which the teenager was able to take the luxury car out and the alleged lapses in the initial police response. The allegations are under investigation.
(PTI News)
