Cheranalloor accident: petition by victim’s daughter alleges judge tampered with evidence

Forensic officials collect evidence from the car involved in a fatal accident at Cheranalloor in Kochi, in which a 55-year-old scooter rider was killed after the car allegedly rammed into his scooter. (File photo)

Bhadrakeerthi R.J., the daughter of Jayabalakrishnan who died after a luxury car reportedly driven by the minor son of an Additional District Judge rammed his two-wheeler at Cheranalloor here in the early hours of October 25, has petitioned the Cheranalloor Station House Officer seeking registration of a criminal case under Section 238 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

In her petition, she has alleged that the Additional District Judge, who owned the car, destroyed evidence at the accident spot and tried to deflect the probe. The probe must also cover other applicable legal provisions, including Section 240 that pertains to providing false information and also Section 241.

According to her, the judge, came to know of the accident at 2.14 a.m., minutes after the incident, and arrived at the spot after 20 minutes, where he spent about three hours. A detailed probe on the matter is needed since the exact location of the accident, its impact, the damage to the vehicles involved, the road markings, blood stains, other material evidences, CCTV visuals and witness accounts matter substantially as evidence, Ms. Bhadrakeerthi said.

There are doubts and allegations of such crucial evidence having being tampered with, with information also pointing to a rear board of the luxury car being removed soon after the accident. The judge in question also visited the police station in violation of norms and interfered with the probe. In this situation, the police must gather evidence, including from CCTVs, about the whereabouts of the judge after the accident. The probe must also cover aspects like whether CCTV visuals from the area were destroyed. In addition, the statements of eye witnesses must be taken afresh, she added.

Ms. Bhadrakeerthi, in her petition, has also sought that the probe should specify the precise location of the vehicles, the damage and forensic evidence in them. The investigators should also gather all pertinent details from the car’s GPS, dashcam, cell phone locations, call records and other digital records. It must also be probed whether the vehicle has been washed or repaired, and if so, under whose direction.