Kochi city police commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar said that police had evidence that the car had travelled at over 100kmph sometime before the accident
Kochi : Police on Monday named an additional district judge as an accused in a fatal accident involving his 17-year-old son. The minor was driving a Mercedes-Benz that rammed into a scooter on Container Road near Maraparambu in Cheranelloor early Sunday, killing a 55-year-old man. Section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and charges for speeding were added,” he said. Initially, police treated the incident as an accident caused during rain and invoked Sections 281 and 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deal with rash driving and causing death by negligence.
Kochi city police commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar said police had invoked provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act dealing with the culpability of a parent or guardian. We need the high court’s permission and are following the process,” he said. Police had evidence that the car had travelled at over 100kmph sometime before the accident, Kumar said. “Later, after checking his mobile phone and other details, we found that the car had been speeding sometime before the accident,” Kumar said, adding that police were still examining CCTV footage as they lacked direct evidence or witnesses. Kumar said the offence was serious as the accident had claimed the life of a family’s breadwinner. The juvenile also has a responsibility, as the speed should not have been this high,” he said, adding that police would examine the possibility of appealing against the bail. A senior police officer said further action was being taken against the judge in accordance with Supreme Court guidelines applicable when a judge is booked.
The probe has been handed to the district crime branch. “There are certain procedures we are following. “Hence, it is considered a heinous offence. “If the parents had been careful, a juvenile wouldn’t have driven the car.
Police added Section 105 of the BNS, which deals with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, following the protests. The victim’s family staged protests at Cheranelloor police station on Sunday night after the funeral, alleging that the accused was being given preferential treatment.