Kochi: Four police officers of the Cheranalloor Police Station were suspended on Tuesday for lapses in the investigation into a fatal crash that involved the minor son of a judge.
The suspensions were announced in the legislative assembly by Keralam Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala. The action was taken on the basis of a report filed by Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) P Vijayan who visited the site of the accident on Tuesday.
Circle Inspector (CI) Shyamkumar, Station House Officer (SHO) Viswajith, Manoj and Civil Police Officer (CPO) Arun Jith are the officers who have been suspended.
The crash, which led to the death of a 53-year old man, led to widespread protests across the state.
Admitting police lapses, Chennithala said local MLA T J Vinod had informed him about the incident over the phone.
On making enquiries, he learnt that the police had not initially invoked the relevant provision relating to culpable homicide.
"I immediately called the DGP and told him that this was a very serious matter," he said.
"There is nothing for the government to hide in the Cheranalloor incident. We have taken strong action," he said, adding that the government had no obligation to blindly defend the police when they made mistakes.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala also strongly criticised the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) for granting bail to the minor accused in the fatal Cheranalloor Mercedes-Benz crash before the victim's body was laid to rest.
Replying to an adjournment motion moved by Communist Party of India [CPI(M)] MLA A C Moideen on various issues, including the death of the 53-year-old man in the crash, Chennithala admitted lapses on the part of the police and said the government would take strong action against those responsible.
"I strongly condemn the decision to grant bail to the accused before the victim's body was even laid to rest. With the protection of this House, it is my opinion that the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) should not have granted bail under any circumstances," he said.
The government has directed the authorities to approach the higher court to seek cancellation of the bail, he said.
The victim, who was returning home with groceries for his family, was hit by the car while travelling on his scooter, Chennithala said.
Chennithala also questioned the conduct of the judge who owned the car, saying that the law should apply equally to everyone, irrespective of their position or family background.
"Whether the accused is the son of a judge or anyone else, what difference does it make? It was a road accident. Is the law not the same for everyone," he asked.
The minister said the government could not initiate disciplinary action against a judge but had registered a case against him as he is the vehicle's owner.
The High Court Registrar had also been informed in writing, he said, adding that the High Court could examine the matter and take appropriate action.
The minister said he had accepted all three demands raised by the victim's family and conveyed to him by Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Binoy Viswam, following which the protest was called off.
The victim's relatives held a protest seeking action against the minor.
Chennithala assured the Assembly that the government would take strong action and would not allow anyone responsible for the incident to escape the law.
(With inputs from PTI & Reportertvlive)