Four police officers suspended for mishandling Cheranalloor accident case

Jayabalakrishnan’s daughter Bhadra Keerthi watches as ADGP P. Vijayan speaks to the media after visiting the residence of a motorist who died in a car accident in Cheranalloor. | Photo credit: RK Nithin

The government on Tuesday suspended four police officers at the Cheranalloor police station on charges of mishandling a case involving the death of a 55-year-old man who was allegedly hit by a speeding luxury car driven by the 17-year-old son of an additional magistrate.

The event followed a report submitted to the Home Ministry by ADGP P. Vijayan. Accompanied by a team from Thiruvananthapuram, he visited the Cheranalloor police station and held a meeting with senior officers, including District Superintendent of Police (Kochi City) S. Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar, on the instructions of Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala.

Sub-inspector and station house officer Viswajith VS, circle inspector Syam Kumar KS, assistant sub-inspector Manoj KT and senior civil police officer Arun Joshy are suspended police officers.

The Cheranalloor police have come under fire over allegations that officers were abusive to the victim’s family, brought relatively minor charges against the accused and delayed action against the judge, the accused teenager’s father. It was also alleged that Mr Joshy forcibly took away the victim’s family’s mobile phone and deleted the photographs they had taken of the accused.

The arrest of the father-son duo, suspension of the judge and action against the policemen were the three main demands raised by the victim’s son and daughter who staged a protest outside the police station for several hours on Monday before calling it off after assurances from Mr Chennithal.

“The family has shared their demands, which will be prioritized. Based on those demands, records will be examined and evidence collected. We have to ensure that everything is done in the right way so that a strong case is made in court and the interests of the family are not compromised,” Mr Vijayan told reporters after visiting the family at their residence in Cheranalloor. A banner demanding justice for accident victim Jayabalakrishnan greeted the senior police officer on his arrival at the family home.

ADGP P. Vijayan visits the spot in Cheranalloor where scooter rider Jayabalakrishnan was killed after being hit by a car. | Photo credit: RK Nithin

Mr. Vijayan said the police had already filed an application in court seeking cancellation of the teenager’s bail. About the arrest, the Additional Magistrate said that the matter involved several legal formalities, including obtaining the required permission from the judiciary. He rejected suggestions that the involvement of a judicial officer could affect the investigation, arguing that the law would apply regardless of who was involved. Mr. Vijayan also visited the accident site along Container Road in Cheranalloor.

Meanwhile, the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) has initiated steps to suspend the registration certificate of the vehicle involved in the accident and barred the teenager from applying for a driver’s license until he is 25 years old. “We will list the boy’s Aadhaar number on the Parivahan portal to block him at the stage of applying for the student card itself. The registered owner of the vehicle will also have to pay a fine for all persons. These actions will be taken based on the police report,” MVD sources said.

In a Facebook post, the Chief Minister assured that all necessary legal assistance will be provided to the family.

Published – 27 Oct 2026 20:52 IST