The Kerala High Court on Thursday granted anticipatory bail to an Additional District Judge whose minor son was involved in a fatal car crash in Kochi.
The 17-year-old boy, driving a Mercedes-Benz, collided with a two-wheeler earlier this week, resulting in the death of the scooter rider.
Justice Kauser Edappagath ordered a stay on the judge’s arrest while directing him to fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation. The court noted that the applicant, who serves at a Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Thrissur, had already undergone a four-hour police interrogation.
Questioning the necessity of an immediate arrest for a judicial officer willing to cooperate, the court mandated that further questioning adhere to Supreme Court guidelines.
Counsel representing the victim’s family opposed the bail plea, alleging that the judge attempted to tamper with evidence. Following the accident, Kochi police registered an FIR under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, along with Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act, which holds guardians legally responsible when a minor commits a traffic offence.
Although the minor driver was initially booked and subsequently released on bail, police procedures against the guardian remain active under statutory provisions.
