“This judgment is a stab in my chest,” said an emotional Bhadra Keerthi, daughter of Jaibalakrishnan, food stall owner who was knocked down by a 17-year-old son of Additional District Judge in Cheranalloor.
Her remarks came following the anticipatory bail granted to the accused. The verdict came a day before the conclusion of her father’s funeral rites, breaking the family’s hope for justice.
“Tomorrow, the rituals for my father will conclude. We were expecting some justice for our family. Unfortunately, that has not happened,” she said.
The Kerala High Court on Thursday granted anticipatory bail to the 17-year-old son who drove a Mercedes Benz and knocked down Jaibalakrishnan.
The family, as per reports, has now decided to move the SC, challenging the High Court’s order.
Maintaining that the accused had been cooperating with the investigation and that custodial interrogation was not necessary under the circumstances, Justice Kauser Eidappagath allowed the judge’s pre-arrest bail plea.
During the hearing, the High Court questioned the prosecution’s insistence on arresting the judicial officer, pointing out that the investigation was already carried out, including an interrogation and the search at his residence.
“The prosecution has not stated that the accused is failing to cooperate with the probe. He has already been interrogated for six hours. A raid was conducted at his residence, and documents and other materials were seized. Their examination needs to be completed. Under these circumstances, why is an arrest required? The petitioner is a judicial officer under the direct supervision of the High Court. Therefore, there is no likelihood of him absconding. He has no prior criminal cases. The investigation must be fair and transparent. Legal protection will also be ensured for the victims in the case. If the petitioner does not cooperate with the interrogation, the court may be informed of the same,” the court observed.
Thursday witnessed extraordinary courtroom exchanges in this case.
In another hearing, the Additional District and Sessions Court in Ernakulam was hearing the prosecution’s appeal against the bail granted to his 17-year-old son by the Juvenile Justice Board.
Judge Kavitha Gangadharan, presiding over the Additional District and Sessions Court designated to try cases involving atrocities against women and children, directed the investigating officer to produce details of similar fatal accidents involving juvenile drivers in which culpable homicide not amounting to murder charges had been invoked.