Photo by TOI Bindu, wife of Jayabalakrishnan, with her sons Bhagya Darshan and Bharath Shankar at their residence in Kochi on Wednesday.
Kochi : The crime branch on Wednesday questioned an additional district judge at the police club, days after naming him an accused in the case over Sunday’s accident at Cheranalloor that killed a 55-year-old man, Jayabalakrishnan. The Mercedes-Benz car was allegedly driven by his 17-year-old son. After hearing the matter, the court issued notice to the accused and posted the case for further consideration on Oct 30.
Police said they want the teenager in custody to question him about his alleged high-speed driving and how he learnt to drive. They told the court they had obtained three videos allegedly showing him driving recklessly. He was summoned after the crime branch searched his apartment at Companypady in Aluva. Police collected CCTV footage from the premises and seized documents relating to the car and a premium motorcycle. The bike was seized on suspicion that the minor had been using it. Police seek teen’s custody: The police have approached a court dealing with offences against women and children, seeking cancellation of the bail granted to the minor. Police have registered an FIR against the judge under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act. The section deals with offences by juveniles and, subject to statutory exceptions, makes vehicle owners or guardians liable in specified circumstances.
Footage purportedly showing the car being driven out of the apartment hours before the fatal crash had earlier circulated widely on social media. The search went on overnight and ended on Wednesday morning.
The registrar general reportedly told the family it was not yet clear whether the boy took the car with the judge’s knowledge, and that any further action against him would depend on the findings on this point. His children and other relatives, accompanied by their lawyer, submitted a representation to the registrar general. Victim’s kin seek action against judge: The children of Jayabalakrishnan met the high court registrar general on Wednesday, seeking action against the judge.
The questioning began around 2.40pm and went on for hours as investigators sought to formally record the judge’s statement, sources said.
The judge had cooperated with the investigation team earlier but had not agreed to have his statement officially recorded.