Jayabalakrishnan, a 55-year-old street food vendor, died instantly when a Mercedes-Benz struck his scooter at 2:20 am on Sunday in Kochi. Police forensic data indicates the car was traveling at 104 kmph. The driver, identified as the 17-year-old son of an Additional District Sessions Judge, claimed it was his first time behind the wheel. That claim collapsed almost immediately.
The teenager secured bail at the police station less than 45 minutes after the crash, with his father present. He obtained a second bail order from a magistrate shortly after the victim’s family protested outside the court. The victim’s daughter, Bhadrakeerthi, told NDTV that the judge’s father was "rude and arrogant," telling her cousin, "You don't teach me law. I know everything."
Independent checks of the teen’s Instagram account, which had over 2,500 followers, revealed a history contradicting the "novice driver" narrative. Before the crash, the account posted reels of him driving the same Mercedes at speeds up to 200 kmph. Within hours of the fatal collision, all posts were deleted and the account switched to private. Bhadrakeerthi stated, "His father is trying to save him. We have evidence that he drove before."
The victim’s family alleges a cover-up, claiming police hesitated to act against the judge’s son while treating their family with hostility. "It is 100% sure that if you have money the law will be on your side," Bhadrakeerthi said from Hyderabad. She warned that if the judge continues to shield his son, "the father will go to jail."
The case has triggered sharp criticism of judicial privilege in Kerala. No further legal proceedings against the minor were announced as of Monday morning, but legal aid groups are monitoring the next court date. The victim’s family has filed a complaint alleging police dereliction of duty, a matter now under review by the state police headquarters.