The Kochi crash judge’s son bail decision has drawn strong reactions in Kerala. On Monday, October 26, 2026, the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) in Ernakulam granted bail to a 17-year-old boy. He is the son of an additional sessions judge. The teenager allegedly drove a Mercedes-Benz that hit a scooter and killed its rider a day earlier.
The crash happened on Sunday, October 25, in Cheranalloor, Kochi. According to reports, the car was travelling from Vallarpadam towards Kalamassery. It hit the scooter from behind near a showroom on Container Road. The rider, 55-year-old Jayabalakrishnan, who ran a roadside eatery, died at the scene.
Police registered a case under Sections 281 and 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. These cover rash driving and causing death by negligence. Officers then took the teenager into custody. The Juvenile Justice Board granted bail when it heard the case on Monday.
The victim’s family has raised serious concerns. They say the teenager was allowed to drive without a licence. In addition, they allege that the judge behaved aggressively at the police station and asked them to delete photos. These claims have not been independently verified. The family also fears that the judge’s position could weaken the case. As a result, it has demanded action against the father, who owns the car.
Police are examining evidence from the crash, including the teenager’s test results. Meanwhile, similar cases elsewhere have sparked public anger over how juvenile boards treat minors who drive and cause deaths.
The law bars the media from naming a juvenile accused, so this report does not identify the teenager. The investigation is continuing, and the court will decide the case on the evidence.
