Kerala Judge Son Mercedes Crash: Family Alleges Cover-Up

Following a horrific accident in Kochi, Kerala Police upgraded charges against the 17-year-old son of an Additional District and Sessions Judge after his speeding Mercedes-Benz rammed into a scooter, instantly killing a 55-year-old street food vendor. The police invoked Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, replacing lighter negligence charges after severe public outrage and protests from the victim's grieving family.

What Happened During the Fatal Collision?

The early morning crash took place on a rainy Sunday when Jayabalakrishnan, a roadside eatery owner returning home on his scooter, was struck by the judge's luxury sedan. The impact was so severe that the victim was thrown several meters away. Shortly after the incident, the minor driver claimed to officers that he was testing the family vehicle for the "first time" and had only learned how to drive by watching online video tutorials.

Who Deleted the Evidence and Contradicted Claims?

Independent checks and digital evidence quickly dismantled the teenager's novice claim. Before the accident, the minor operated a public Instagram page with over 2,500 followers where he frequently posted high-speed driving reels. Reports revealed past videos showing him driving the exact same Mercedes-Benz at speeds reaching up to 200 km/h. Within hours of the crash, all social media posts were systematically deleted, and the account was converted to private, pointing toward an intentional attempt to destroy evidence.

Why Does the Family Alleged a Police Cover-Up?

The family of the deceased accused the police and influential figures of conspiring to shield the accused juvenile. According to eyewitness accounts shared with the family, three other occupants were inside the car at the time of the collision and fled in another vehicle immediately after the crash. Relatives pointed out a stark contrast in treatment: while they were forced to wait nearly 12 hours at the mortuary to collect the victim's body, the minor driver was initially released on station bail within moments of the incident.

Where Does the Legal Investigation Stand Now?

Faced with mounting pressure, authorities re-arrested the minor and initiated steps to determine whether legal action can be taken against the car-owning father under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act. Authorities are investigating how a minor was permitted access to a high-powered luxury vehicle and examining whether the judge shared responsibility for allowing the underage youth onto public roads.