The Ernakulam Additional District and Sessions Court on Monday reserved its verdict on the pleas challenging the bail granted to the minor accused in the Kochi Mercedes-Benz crash case, after hearing detailed arguments from the public prosecutor, the counsel for the victim's family and the counsel for the child in conflict with law, Live Law reported. Judge Kavitha Gangadharan posted the case to Thursday, November 5, to pronounce orders.
Source: Live Law
According to the FIR registered by the Cheranalloor police, the car rammed into the scooter ridden by 55-year-old street food vendor Jayabalakrishnan at around 2:00 am on October 25 while he was returning home. The case was first registered under Section 106 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the minor was released on custody bail; police later added Section 105 BNS, culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and produced the minor before the Juvenile Justice Board, which released him on bail. Police have also booked the minor's father, the car's registered owner, who is a sitting district judge; the Kerala High Court has granted him interim protection from arrest. The allegations in the case have not been proved in court.
The court decided to hold the appeal hearings in camera to protect the identity of the child in conflict with law, and directed the parties not to make public statements or interviews that may prejudice the investigation or reveal the minor's identity, Live Law reported. The court also recorded that steps had been initiated by the cyber police over social-media posts that revealed the minor's identity, and that an application had been submitted before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, Ernakulam, as the alleged offences are non-cognizable.
Source: Bar and Bench
The hearing saw sharp exchanges, The Hindu reported, and the victim's daughter, Bhadra Keerthy, told the media that the family lacks confidence in the prosecution represented by Special Public Prosecutor PA Bindu. The court's order on whether the minor's bail will be cancelled is due on November 5.
Source: The Hindu via Tech Word News