Judge’s police station visit faulted in report; suspension recommended in Cheranalloor accident case

KOCHI: A report has found fault with the Additional District Judge for visiting the police station in connection with the Cheranalloor road accident case, in which his 17-year-old son is an accused. The judge, who is also the owner of the car involved in the accident, had not visited the police station for any official purpose and had not sought permission from the Principal Sessions Judge before going there, the report said.

The findings were included in the report submitted by portfolio judge Justice P. V. Kunhikrishnan to the Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court, seeking the Additional District Judge’s suspension. The report noted that the judge’s conduct had brought disrepute to the judiciary. The administrative committee headed by the Chief Justice will examine the report. The High Court’s Administrative Committee will consider, among other matters, the Supreme Court’s prohibition on judicial officers directly visiting police stations for purposes unrelated to their official duties before taking a decision.

Meanwhile, police questioned the Additional District Judge in connection with the case. Investigators visited his flat at Companypady in Aluva yesterday evening to question him. The judge told the police that his son had driven the vehicle without his knowledge. He also said he was unaware that his son regularly drove vehicles. The judge had been named as an accused in the case the previous day.

The father was booked after a culpable homicide case was registered against the 17-year-old. The FIR was amended to include the Additional District Judge as an accused. He handles motor vehicle accident compensation cases. The District Crime Branch will investigate the case.