The Kerala high court on Thursday granted anticipatory bail for an Additional District Judge whose his son was recently involved in a car crash that killed a scooter rider.
“The police shall not arrest the applicant until further orders. However, he shall appear before the investigating officer today at 1:00 pm and if necessary as and when called for.
The interrogation of the applicant shall be done in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court,” the Court said, as per Bar and Bench. Senior Counsel P Vijaya Bhanu, appearing for the accused judge, told the high court that the judge was interrogated for four hours at the police station regarding the Mercedes crash.
Why is his arrest required? He is a judicial officer. The counsel appearing for the victims of the crash opposed the decision and has accused the judge, who is also posted at a Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) at Iranjalakuda in Thrissur district, of tampering with evidence.
“What was the need to interrogate him for 4 hours, and now for further interrogation?
He will co-operate with the investigation,” the Court said.
About the case
A 17-year-old boy, the son of the MACT judge in Thrissur, was driving a Mercedes-Benz when he hit a two-wheeler in Kochi earlier this week. Regarding the bail matter, Justice Kauser Edappagath ordered a stay of arrest and stated that the judge must still cooperate with the investigation. The crash resulted in the death of the scooter rider.
