Ernakulam JJB grants bail to Kerala judge's minor son who drove Mercedes that killed scooterist

The Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) in Ernakulam on Monday granted bail to the 17-year-old son of an additional sessions judge who allegedly caused a scooter rider's death after the Mercedes-Benz he was driving hit the two-wheeler in Cheranalloor, Kochi, on Sunday.

According to the First Information Report (FIR) registered by the Cheranalloor police, the victim, identified as Jayabalakrishnan (55), was returning home after closing his roadside eatery when the accident occurred around 2:20 AM on Sunday morning.

The car driven by the 17-year-old was travelling from Vallarpadam towards Kalamassery when it allegedly hit the scooter near a Ford showroom on Container Road.

Police initially registered the case under Sections 281 and 106 (1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS), which are the offences of rash driving and causing death by negligence, respectively.

According to reports, the teenager was initially released on station bail, however, after continued protests by the victim's family and local residents, Section 105 of the BNS was also added to the case, which deals with punishment for culpable homicide, not amounting to murder.

The police then took him into custody. The minor was subsequently produced before the Juvenile Justice Board today morning.

The victim's family has demanded action against the teenager's father, who is the registered owner of the car.

Editor’s note: Bar & Bench has chosen not to disclose the judge’s name as the Juvenile Justice Act prohibits disclosure of any details that may lead to the identification of a child in conflict with law.