Cheranalloor luxury car accident: Kerala HC orders police not to arrest accused judge till further orders

Forensic officials collect evidence from a car involved in a fatal accident at Cheranalloor in Kochi on Sunday (October 25, 2026) | Photo credit: THULASI KAKKAT

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (October 29, 2026) directed the police authorities not to arrest the Additional District Magistrate, who is the father of the 17-year-old boy who was driving the car involved in the Cheranalloor accident case, until further orders.

Justice Kauser Edappagath orally observed that the court cannot succumb to public opinion and said “the law must be strictly followed”. He ordered the accused court clerk to cooperate with the investigation.

The court also allowed the family members of the accident victim, Jayabalakrishnan, to be pleaded in an anticipatory bail application filed by the judicial officer.

The accident took place at Maraparambu on Container Road in Cheranalloor on Sunday, where a car allegedly driven by a minor hit the victim’s scooter around 2 am.

The juvenile was recently granted bail by the Juvenile Justice Board, Ernakulam, citing lack of criminal history. The case was originally filed against a minor. His father was later registered under the Motor Vehicles Act as the registered owner of the car and guardian of the minor driver.

Published – 29 Oct 2026 1:30 PM IST