New Delhi, Oct 27: The Kochi City Police have booked an Additional Sessions Judge under the Motor Vehicles Act after his 17-year-old son allegedly drove a Mercedes-Benz that hit a scooter, killing its rider in Cheranalloor on October 25.
According to Bar & Bench, the judge, posted at a court in Irinjalakuda in Thrissur district, has been arraigned under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, as the registered owner of the car.
The provision deals with offences committed by juveniles and provides for liability of the guardian or vehicle owner, subject to statutory exceptions.
The victim, Jayabalakrishnan (55), was returning home after closing his roadside eatery when the accident occurred around 2.20 am on Sunday, according to the FIR. The Mercedes was allegedly travelling from Vallarpadam towards Kalamassery when it hit his two-wheeler on Container Road.
Police initially registered a case under Sections 281 and 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for rash driving and causing death by negligence. Section 105, relating to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, was subsequently added. The police said they were following Supreme Court guidelines applicable when a judicial officer is booked and would inform the district judiciary and the Kerala High Court. The Juvenile Justice Board in Ernakulam granted bail to the minor on Monday.
