Cheranalloor accident; Judge didn’t call me, transfer has nothing to do with case, says Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar

KOCHI: Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar, who was removed from the post of Kochi City police Commissioner said the district additional judge, father of the 17-year-old involved in the Cheranalloor accident case, has not called him. While talking to the media, he said that he is saying this because he did not get another platform. He said that he is not sad about the transfer and since he is a government employee will have to obey everything.

‘The judge had not contacted me at all. No one connected to the accused called or spoke to me. I spoke openly because I will not get another opportunity. The case had progressed well from the very beginning. The case has nothing to do with my transfer. A transfer is simply part of the job. I have no regrets about leaving,’ said Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar.

An inspection conducted by ADGP P Vijayan had found serious lapses from the side of the police in the Cheranalloor accident. Although action had earlier been taken against the four officers, including the sub inspector and the circle inspector of the Cheranalloor police station, resentment and dissatisfaction prevailed among police personnel over the lack of action against senior officials.

The lapses from the part of senior officers had caused considerable embarrassment and a crisis for the home department. It was following this that a decision was taken to reshuffle the police administration, including the transfer of the city police commissioner.

The accident happened at around 2.30 am last Sunday. Jayabalakrishnan, a motorist was killed after being hit by the Benz car driven by a 17-year-old boy, son of the judge. The victim's family had staged strong protests over the delay in taking action against the accused. Following that, a case was registered against the additional sessions judge, who was also the registered owner of the vehicle.