Kochi Mercedes Crash: Victim’s Daughter Accuses Judge of Evidence Tampering

The daughter of Jayabalakrishnan, who died in a Kochi Mercedes-Benz crash, has questioned the Kerala High Court’s decision to grant anticipatory bail to the accused judge. The judge is the father of the 17-year-old boy allegedly involved in the fatal accident. Bhadrakeerthi has accused the judge and his family of attempting to protect the teenager. She also alleged that they may have tampered with evidence at the accident site. Speaking to NDTV, she claimed that the judge and his wife spent several hours at the scene. The family believes their presence raises serious questions about the investigation. They have demanded the judge’s arrest and called for a fair investigation. The family says it will continue fighting for justice despite the latest court order.

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Victim’s Daughter Questions Judge’s Anticipatory Bail

The Additional District and Sessions Judge, who serves in Irinjalakuda in Kerala’s Thrissur district, secured anticipatory bail on Thursday. Authorities had named him an accused in the case just days earlier. The accident occurred in the early hours of Sunday. According to reports, the judge’s 17-year-old son allegedly drove a speeding Mercedes-Benz into Jayabalakrishnan’s scooter. The collision killed the 55-year-old man at the scene. The luxury car was registered in the judge’s name. Bhadrakeerthi questioned whether an ordinary citizen would receive similar legal treatment. She said the family believes the accused is receiving preferential treatment because of his position. Her brother, Bharath, stood beside her during the interview. The family has also alleged that the police attempted to protect the accused.

The judge reportedly told the High Court that his son took the car without his knowledge. He argued that he should not face criminal liability for an act he did not know about. The teenager also reportedly claimed that he had driven the vehicle for the first time. According to the account, he learnt driving by watching YouTube videos. However, Bhadrakeerthi questioned this explanation. She alleged that the teenager had previously uploaded videos showing himself driving at high speeds. Reports also indicated that he operated a public Instagram account with more than 2,500 followers. The account reportedly featured several driving reels before the accident. These claims have raised questions about whether the teenager was an inexperienced driver. However, investigators must establish the authenticity and relevance of the reported videos.

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Mercedes-Benz Videos Were Reportedly Deleted After Crash

Police sources reportedly said some videos showed the teenager driving the same Mercedes-Benz at speeds of up to 200 kmph. Within hours of the fatal accident, the account’s posts were reportedly deleted. The profile was also switched to private. These developments have added another dimension to the investigation. However, the reported social media activity does not independently establish who was driving at any particular time. Investigators must verify the videos, their timestamps, and the circumstances surrounding their removal. The family has alleged that evidence was deliberately concealed. These allegations remain subject to investigation and legal scrutiny. The judge’s anticipatory bail does not, by itself, determine the outcome of the criminal case. Authorities must examine the available evidence and establish individual responsibility under the law.

Jayabalakrishnan was the sole breadwinner of his family. He had operated a small street-food stall for around 30 years. His earnings supported his household and helped fund his three children’s education. On the day of the accident, he was returning home after finishing work at his stall. The Mercedes-Benz allegedly struck his scooter along his regular route. His death has left the family demanding accountability. Bhadrakeerthi said her father was an ordinary man who taught his children strong values. She expressed disappointment over the bail decision but vowed to continue the legal fight. The family wants investigators to examine the judge’s alleged role and the circumstances surrounding the crash. They are also seeking answers about the teenager’s reported driving videos. For the family, the priority remains a fair investigation and justice for their father.

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