Cheranalloor accident: petition by victim’s daughter claims judge tampered with evidence

Forensic officials are collecting evidence from the car involved in a fatal accident in Kochi’s Cheranalloor in which a 55-year-old scooter rider was killed after the car allegedly hit his scooter. (Photo file) | Photo credit: THULASI KAKKAT

Bhadrakeerthi RJ, daughter of Jayabalakrishnan, who died after a luxury car allegedly driven by the minor son of an additional district magistrate rammed into her two-wheeler at Cheranalloor here in the early hours of October 25, has asked the Cheranalloor Station House Officer to register a criminal case under Section 238 Bharatiya, Sanhitaya.

In her petition, she alleged that another district judge, who owned the car, destroyed evidence at the scene of the accident and tried to divert the probe. The investigation must also cover other applicable statutory provisions, including Section 240, which relates to providing false information, as well as Section 241.

According to her, the judge learned about the accident at 2:14 minutes after the incident and arrived at the scene after 20 minutes, where he spent about three hours. A detailed investigation into the matter is needed as the exact location of the accident, its impact, damage to the vehicles involved, road markings, bloodstains, other physical evidence, CCTV footage and witness statements are essential as evidence, Ms Bhadrakeerthi said.

There are doubts and accusations of tampering with such crucial evidence, with information also pointing to the rear panel of the luxury car being removed soon after the accident. The judge in question also visited the police station in violation of the norms and interfered with the investigation. In this situation, the police must gather evidence, including CCTV, of the judge’s whereabouts after the accident. The probe must also cover aspects such as whether CCTV visuals of the area have been destroyed. In addition, the statements of eyewitnesses need to be taken again, she added.

In her petition, Ms. Bhadrakeerthi also demanded that the investigation specify the exact location of the vehicles, the damage and the forensic evidence in them. Investigators should also collect all relevant details from GPS, dashcam, cell phone locations, call logs and other digital records. It must also be established whether the vehicle has been washed or repaired, and if so, by what means.

Published – 01 Nov 2026 21:40 IST