Kochi police commissioner removed over lapses in Mercedes hit-and-run case involving judge’s minor son

A 54-year-old food-stall owner was killed in Kochi when a Mercedes driven by a 17-year-old hit his scooter. Read the full timeline and the action taken

PGurus Newsdesk

October 28, 2026

Preliminary report says no alcohol in the Kochi hit-and-run, but action has already been taken against police

Victim’s family alleges the judge spoke disrespectfully at the police station, and says it will pursue the case

Kochi City Police Commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar has been removed from his post over the alleged mishandling of a fatal hit-and-run case involving the 17-year-old son of an Additional District and Sessions Judge. R. Nishanthini has replaced him.

Four officers of the Cheranalloor police station had already been suspended on the basis of a preliminary probe: CI K.S. Shyam Kumar, SHO V.S. Viswajith, Grade ASI K.T. Manoj and SCPO Arun Joshi.

With the Assembly in session, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala assured strict accountability for any procedural lapses and condemned police leniency.

The case dates back to the early hours of Sunday, October 25, when a Mercedes-Benz allegedly driven by the teenager hit a scooter from behind in Kochi. The rider, 54-year-old Jayabalakrishnan, a native of Manjali, was killed. Police said the car is registered in the judge’s name. The teenager was taken into custody, and a case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for reckless driving and causing death by negligence.

A preliminary police report says the teenager was not under the influence of alcohol, and his blood samples have been collected for further analysis.

The victim’s niece told reporters that her uncle ran a food stall and was returning home when the crash happened. She said the car must have been travelling fast, as the scooter was badly damaged and the items he was carrying were scattered around the site, and that he died on the spot. She also alleged that the judge spoke to her disrespectfully at the police station when she asked why a minor was allowed to drive. She said the family will pursue the case, and that it should be a lesson not to drive without a licence.

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