Cheranalloor luxury car accident case: High drama marks hearing on juvenile driver’s bail plea
The car that met with a fatal accident at Cheranalloor in Kochi (File) | Photo credit: Thulasi Kakkat
The Additional District and Sessions Court earmarked for hearing cases involving atrocities on women and children in Ernakulam on Monday (November 2, 2026) reserved its order on criminal appeals against the decision of the Juvenile Justice Committee to grant bail to a 17-year-old accused involved in the Cheranalloor accident case that claimed life. The court is likely to issue an order on November 5.
Earlier, the court witnessed high drama as the prosecution and the lawyer for the victim’s family exchanged accusations. Judge Kavitha Gangadharan, unimpressed by the turn of events and the exchange of charges, said further proceedings would be held in camera in view of the child’s involvement in conflict with the law. The judge ruled despite the objections of the family’s legal representative. Bhadra Keerthy, daughter of the late Jayabalakrishnan, told the media that the family lacks confidence in the prosecution represented by Special Public Prosecutor PA Bindu.
Bhadra Keerthy, daughter of the late Jayabalakrishnan, told the media that the family lacks confidence in the prosecution represented by Special Public Prosecutor PA Bindu.
The prosecution raised the issue in court on Monday, accusing the victim’s family of interfering with the independent investigation through conflicting statements to the media. Keeping in mind that this is a serious allegation, the judge asked the investigating officer, who was directed by the court on Saturday (Oct 31, 2026), to produce the case diary on Monday whether such interference actually took place.
MG Sreejith, the family’s counsel, accused the prosecution of non-cooperation while denying allegations that the victim’s family was obstructing an independent investigation. The court noted that the special prosecutor had served the court for seven years and noted that any complaints should have been raised in court. The decision to conduct the proceedings in closed session came after Mr Sreejith said he had to bring certain matters before the court which could not be heard in open proceedings.
Speaking to mediators after the closed hearing, Mr Sreejith sought to downplay the difference with the prosecution and the court’s decision to order the in camera proceedings, describing it as “not unusual”. “The family and the prosecution have the same goal,” he said.
The investigating officer stated that the juvenile accused needed to be interviewed, prompting the court to ask whether an application to the Juvenile Justice Board would be sufficient for this purpose.
Meanwhile, the Special Investigation Team has reportedly decided to investigate the alleged destruction of evidence in the case.
On Saturday, the court ordered the cyber police to remove content identifying the accused from social media and initiate action against those responsible for its spread. The cyber police informed the court that action was being taken.
Published – 02 Nov 2026 14:42 IST