A 17-year-old boy allegedly rammed his Mercedes Benz into a scooter, killing its rider in Keralam’s Kochi in the wee hours of Sunday, police said, even as state home minister Ramesh Chennithala promised the victim’s family stern action in the case.
After a medical examination and being produced before the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB), he was released in accordance with the Juvenile Justice Act’s provisions. Following the incident, police took the teenager into custody. The accused, along with three others who were inside the car with him, were arrested and charged by the police.
The 17-year-old is the son of an additional district judge, and the car is registered in the judge’s name, according to police. The incident comes just two weeks after an intoxicated 19-year-old rammed a Mini Cooper similarly into a scooter, killing three people near the Cochin International Airport.
The investigation is underway, and a decision on whether to book the boy’s father, in whose name the car is registered, will be taken later, police said.
The victim died on the spot. The victim was identified as Jayabalakrishnan (55), a resident of Manjali, who ran a street food cart in the Chittor area of Kochi. Jayabalakrishnan’s family said he was returning home around 2.30 am after closing his food cart when the car rammed his scooter from behind in Cheranalloor.
Jayalakshmi, the victim’s niece, told reporters that her uncle was always careful while driving. He said further investigation will prove whether culpable homicide charges can be applied against the accused. “We will consult the Juvenile Justice Board before adding non-bailable sections,” the officer said. Meanwhile, home minister Chennithala said the victim’s family not to worry about the investigation’s course, asserting that strict action would be taken against those who run over or kill people with their vehicles.
