Kochi: Kerala Police Chief Ravada A Chandrasekhar on Sunday, November 1, said strong action was taken after a Mercedes-Benz driven by the 17-year-old son of an Additional District Sessions Judge hit a scooter and killed its rider in Kochi, news agency Press Trust of India reported. He said the only issue was that a relevant section of the law was not included in the initial FIR.

Source: PTI via News89

"Actually, if you look into the incident, strong measures were taken by the police. There was uncertainty over adding one offence. In every case, the first FIR is registered, after which further charges are included," Chandrasekhar told reporters, according to PTI. The Deccan Herald carried the same statement, reporting the police chief's position that strong action was taken and the only issue was the relevant section not being included in the FIR.

Source: Deccan Herald via MyPressToday

The accident occurred at Cheranalloor in Kochi on October 25, when the Mercedes-Benz hit a two-wheeler, killing 55-year-old Jayabalakrishnan. The minor was later taken into custody after additional charges were added, but the Juvenile Justice Board subsequently granted him bail. The accused's father, who is a judge, was also named as an accused in the case; the Kerala High Court has directed the police not to arrest him.

The defence comes after Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala admitted in the Assembly that there were lapses by the police and suspended officials who initially handled the case, and after Kochi City Police Commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar was transferred from his post following the reported lapses. The victim's family has alleged a conspiracy to weaken the case after the teenager was initially granted bail at the police station; that allegation remains unproven and the investigation is continuing.

Chandrasekhar said the police crime conference scheduled for November 3 would discuss ways to strengthen public confidence in the force. "We are going to convene our conference on November 3. Discussions on these matters will be held on that day, and we will try to take appropriate measures," he said, according to PTI. He added that the crash case and the alleged assault inside Adoor police station would both be examined and appropriate action taken.