On Thursday, the Kerala High Court granted anticipatory bail to the Additional District and Sessions Judge of Irinjalakuda after his son was named an accused in the fatal Mercedes‑Benz hit‑and‑run that killed Jayabalakrishnan in Kochi. The judge’s bail sparked outrage.
Police reports indicate the 17‑year‑old drove the vehicle at speeds up to 200 km/h, striking a 55‑year‑old scooter and killing the rider instantly. The driver was the judge’s son.
Bhadrakeerthi told NDTV that the judge’s family spent hours at the scene, tampering with evidence. She said the teen’s Instagram posts showing high‑speed driving were deleted within hours.
In a plea, the judge claimed he was unaware of his son’s use of the car and that the teenager had learned to drive by watching YouTube videos. He said the son had taken the car for the first time.
The victim’s family has filed a formal complaint with Kerala Police and plans to challenge the bail order in court.