The victim's family plans to ask the High Court to suspend the judge, and four local police officials have been suspended.
Kochi, Kerala - October 28, 2026
A 55-year-old scooter rider, Jayabalakrishnan, died in an alleged hit-and-run in Kochi in the early hours of Sunday, according to The Indian Express. The 17-year-old son of a judge is accused of driving the Mercedes-Benz involved, and the Kochi City Police Commissioner has since been removed over alleged lapses in the investigation.
Key Facts
- Date: Early hours of a Sunday; first reported October 28, 2026
- Location: Kochi, Kerala
- Type of crash: Alleged hit-and-run with one fatality
- Vehicles involved: Mercedes-Benz
- Injuries / fatalities: One fatality reported
- Responding agencies: Kochi City Police; the Kerala Home Department and the High Court are also named in reports
- Reported by: The Indian Express
Crash Overview
According to the report, the Mercedes-Benz was allegedly driven at high speed by the 17-year-old son of a judge when it struck Jayabalakrishnan, who ran a roadside eatery and was on his way home. Police filed a case against the judge, who owns the car, on Monday.
Reports say four local police personnel, including a station house officer, were suspended by the Kerala Home Department for allegedly trying to shield the teen and for allegedly pressuring a relative of the victim to delete photos. The minor was first charged with a bailable offence and allowed to go home, then arrested after protests and charged with more serious, non-bailable offences. He later obtained bail from the Juvenile Justice Board, and police have moved to cancel it.
A district judge's report to the High Court reportedly described the judge's visit to the police station after his son's arrest as illegal and a violation of the official code of conduct. The High Court has initiated proceedings and requested a report from the sessions judge. The Kerala High Court registrar-general said no decision on disciplinary action has been made yet.