Kochi: The Kerala government on Wednesday removed Kochi City Police Commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar following the controversy over the handling of a fatal road accident involving the 17-year-old son of an Additional District Judge, according to reports. R. Nishanthini will replace him as Kochi City Police Commissioner.

Source: BizzBuzz

The removal comes a day after the government suspended four police personnel attached to the Cheranalloor police station for alleged lapses in handling the case — Circle Inspector K.S. Shyam Kumar, Station House Officer V.S. Viswajith, Grade Assistant Sub-Inspector K.T. Manoj and Senior Civil Police Officer Arun Joshi. The suspensions followed a preliminary inquiry by ADGP P. Vijayan, who visited the accident spot, examined police records and met the victim's family. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala had assured the Assembly that action would be taken against officials found responsible.

Source: BizzBuzz

How the case escalated

Jayabalakrishnan, 55, who ran a roadside eatery, was killed early on Sunday when a Mercedes-Benz allegedly driven by the teenager hit his scooter on Container Road at Cheranalloor. The handling of the case triggered protests after the teenager was initially booked under provisions relating to rash driving and causing death by negligence, and was released on station bail. The case was subsequently altered to Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, relating to culpable homicide, after evidence emerged indicating that the vehicle was overspeeding, Kochi police said.

Source: ANI via Apna Ma TV

The teenager's father, the judge who owns the car, was also named as an accused under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act, and the investigation was transferred to the District Crime Branch. On Tuesday night, a Crime Branch team conducted an evidence-collection visit at the judge's flat in Aluva, examining CCTV footage as part of the probe. The victim's family has decided to approach the High Court seeking further action.

Source: BizzBuzz