Kerala High Court Grants Interim Protection to Judge Amidson's Son's Fatal Accident
The Kerala High Court has provided interim relief from arrest to a judge whose son was involved in a deadly car accident, pending further investigation.
The Kerala High Court has halted the arrest of a judge linked to a fatal car crash involving his son.
The judge's son, aged 17, was driving a Mercedes-Benz that struck and killed a scooter rider.
The court emphasized the need for cooperation in the investigation while questioning the necessity of custodial interrogation.
The Kerala High Court issued an interim order on Thursday, preventing the arrest of an Additional District Judge whose minor son was implicated in a tragic car accident that resulted in the death of a scooter rider. The ruling came during a hearing for anticipatory bail filed by the judge, with Justice Kauser Edappagath presiding over the case.
The incident occurred on October 25 in Cheranalloor, Kochi, when the judge's 17-year-old son, driving a Mercedes-Benz, collided with a two-wheeler, leading to the death of Jayabalakrishnan. Following the accident, the judge was named in an FIR that included serious charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The FIR cited culpable homicide not amounting to murder among other offenses.
During the court proceedings, Senior Counsel P Vijaya Bhanu, representing the judge, disclosed that his client had already cooperated with the police by undergoing a four-hour interrogation. The court ordered that the judge must continue to comply with any further requests from investigators. The bench expressed skepticism regarding the need for custodial interrogation, highlighting the judge's status as a judicial officer and his willingness to assist in the investigation.
The legal representatives of the victim's family opposed the bail plea, alleging that the judge had tampered with evidence after being informed of the incident. However, the court maintained that it would adhere strictly to legal protocols and granted the judge protection from arrest. The court also requested the prosecution to provide the state's response to the bail application.
As the investigation continues, the judge's son was granted bail by the Juvenile Justice Board on October 26, although the state's request to revoke this bail is still under consideration in a sessions court. Additionally, the family of the deceased has filed a complaint with the Kerala High Court Chief Justice, urging an inquiry into the judge's actions. The High Court's Administrative Committee has convened to review the case materials, deciding to refrain from any immediate action against the judge while awaiting further information from the ongoing police investigation.
