Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar, who had led the Kochi police since January 2026, was moved to a different post on Feb 10, 2026, amid questions over his handling of the Mercedes‑Benz crash that killed 55‑year‑old Jayabalakrishnan on Oct 25, 2025.
The accident, which occurred in the Cheranalloor area, saw the Mercedes‑Benz collide with a scooter, killing the rider and leaving the 17‑year‑old son of an Additional District and Sessions Judge accused and later granted bail by the Juvenile Justice Board.
Kumar denied any interference, saying he had received no calls from the judge and had not directed officers to grant leniency, even as four Cheranalloor officers were suspended and his own transfer sparked protests demanding a transparent inquiry.
State Home Minister Renu Adhikari announced that R. Nishanthini, an IPS senior officer, would take over the Kochi commissioner post on Feb 13, 2026, ahead of a parliamentary committee slated to examine the investigation’s procedural lapses.