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Senior Officer Denies Influencing Cheranalloor Crash Probe

Inspector General of Police Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar has rejected allegations of meddling in the investigation into a fatal car crash at Cheranalloor. Speaking to the media in Kochi, the former Kochi City Police Chief insisted his recent transfer from the post was routine and completely unrelated to the inquiry. He specifically dismissed claims that the district court judge whose 17-year-old son allegedly caused the crash had phoned him. The crash took place along Container Road when a luxury vehicle struck a scooter from behind, killing 55-year-old Jayabalakrishnan. Public outrage followed after local authorities initially released the teenage suspect on station bail under lenient charges. Following protests from the victim's family, investigators subsequently upgraded the accusations to culpable homicide and booked the teenager's father under the Motor Vehicles Act. Mahesh Kumar asserted that the inquiry had strictly followed evidence from the outset, stating he would never yield to unlawful requests. His removal followed the suspension of four Cheranalloor police officers after an inquiry by Additional Director General of Police P. Vijayan. The government initiated departmental action after Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala acknowledged lapses in the handling of the case before the State Assembly.

· The Hindu

The essential points

  1. 01Inspector General Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar denied meddling in the Cheranalloor crash probe or receiving calls from the suspect's judge father.
  2. 02The officer maintained that his removal as Kochi police chief was routine rather than disciplinary action over investigative lapses.
  3. 03Four police officers were suspended after initial handling of the fatal collision sparked public anger and scrutiny from the state government.
  4. 04Investigators upgraded charges to culpable homicide against the teenage motorist after a 55-year-old scooter rider died in the Container Road crash.
The full brief

Inspector General of Police Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar has rejected allegations of meddling in the investigation into a fatal car crash at Cheranalloor. Speaking to the media in Kochi, the former Kochi City Police Chief insisted his recent transfer from the post was routine and completely unrelated to the inquiry. He specifically dismissed claims that the district court judge whose 17-year-old son allegedly caused the crash had phoned him.

The crash took place along Container Road when a luxury vehicle struck a scooter from behind, killing 55-year-old Jayabalakrishnan. Public outrage followed after local authorities initially released the teenage suspect on station bail under lenient charges. Following protests from the victim's family, investigators subsequently upgraded the accusations to culpable homicide and booked the teenager's father under the Motor Vehicles Act.

Mahesh Kumar asserted that the inquiry had strictly followed evidence from the outset, stating he would never yield to unlawful requests. His removal followed the suspension of four Cheranalloor police officers after an inquiry by Additional Director General of Police P. Vijayan. The government initiated departmental action after Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala acknowledged lapses in the handling of the case before the State Assembly.