Kerala Removes Kochi Police Commissioner Over Fatal Crash Investigation

Kerala's government removed S. Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar as Kochi city police commissioner on October 28 following allegations that police mishandled a fatal crash investigation. A teenager is suspected of driving the car involved. R. Nishanthini, the South Zone inspector general, is expected to replace Kumar; her assumption of office has not been confirmed. Four officers at Cheranalloor police station were suspended on October 27 after an inquiry by Additional Director General of Police P. Vijayan. He visited the station and crash site and met the victim's family. Vijayan said: “Evidence will be collected properly to ensure that the case stands up in court.” The inquiry is examining officers' conduct and police-station CCTV material. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala acknowledged investigative lapses in the State Assembly. The victim's son and daughter protested outside the station on October 26, demanding action against the teenage suspect and police officers. They ended the protest after assurances from Chennithala. Police searched an apartment in Aluva overnight into October 28 and collected CCTV material and vehicle documents as part of the investigation. Jayabalakrishnan, 55, was returning after closing his eatery when a car struck his scooter on Container Road near Maraparambu in Cheranalloor early on October 25. Police initially registered rash-driving and negligence charges, later adding culpable homicide not amounting to murder under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Vijayan said police had applied to cancel the teenager's bail. No hearing date was specified.