On Monday, 26th October, Kochi City Police have booked an Additional District Judge under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act after his 17-year-old son rammed a Mercedes-Benz into a scooter, killing a 55-year-old man in Cheranalloor, Kochi. Rino Francis, the judge, who is posted at the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal in Irinjalakuda in Thrissur district of Keralam, is the registered owner of the car involved in the accident.
The action comes amid growing protests by the victim’s family, political groups and youth organisations over the initial handling of the case. Kochi City Police Commissioner S. Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar said the police were following the required procedures for taking action against a serving judicial officer, including informing the district judiciary and the Kerala High Court.
Police on Monday named an additional district judge posted at a court in Irinjalakuda as an accused in a fatal road accident involving his 17-year-old son, who was driving a Mercedes-Benz when it allegedly rammed into a scooter in Kochi. Know more 🔗 https://t.co/zaHMCJ3adb Trusted news, anytime, anywhere — download the TOI App 👉 https://t.co/ogFaRsVinV #Kochi #KeralaNews #RoadAccident #FatalAccident #CrimeNews #IndiaNews
— The Times Of India (@timesofindia) October 26, 2026
What happened in the Kochi Mercedes crash?
The accident took place around 2.20 am on Sunday, 25th October, on Container Road near Maraparambu in Cheranalloor. The victim, Jayabalakrishnan, 55, ran a roadside eatery in the Chittur area. He was returning home after closing his shop when a Mercedes-Benz hit his scooter from behind.
A 55-year-old man was killed in Keralam’s Kochi when a luxury car, allegedly driven by the 17-year-old son of a judge, hit his scooter in the early hours of Sunday. The car, a Mercedes Benz, was found to be registered under the judicial officer’s name. The incident took place early morning, between 2 am and 3 am. Read More: https://t.co/CLFtOtavHZ #Keralam #Kochi @KGShibimol
— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) October 25, 2026
According to reports, Jayabalakrishnan died on the spot. The FIR states that the 17-year-old was driving alone from Vallarpadam towards Kalamassery when the collision occurred.
Police said preliminary evidence suggested that the car was travelling at more than 100 kmph. However, the exact circumstances of the accident are still being investigated. The judge has been named as an accused because he is the registered owner of the Mercedes-Benz driven by his minor son at the time of the crash.
Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act deals with offences committed by juveniles while driving motor vehicles. Under this provision, the vehicle owner or the juvenile’s guardian can face legal consequences, subject to the conditions laid down in the law.
The police have initiated action against the judge under this section over the offence his son committed. The case has drawn attention because of the involvement of a serving judicial officer and questions raised over the initial response to the accident.
The victim’s family and several political and youth organisations have protested over the handling of the case. Meanwhile, the police have said they are following the prescribed legal procedure as the investigation into the fatal crash continues. “We are taking further steps in compliance with the Supreme Court guidelines that apply when a judge is booked. Judicial authorities, including the Kerala High Court, will be intimated about the developments,” the officer said.
