Kochi, 27 Oct (H.S.): Police have questioned an additional judge whose 17-year-old son allegedly drove the car that fatally knocked down a scooter rider at Cheranalloor, as the investigation into the crash was transferred to the District Crime Branch.

Officers questioned the judge at his flat in Aluva on Monday night. He reportedly told investigators that his son had taken the car keys without his or his wife’s knowledge. The judge also reportedly maintained that he was unaware his son knew how to drive.

ADGP P. Vijayan is scheduled to visit Cheranalloor on Tuesday to review the investigation into the death of Jayabalakrishnan, a street food vendor.

The Motor Vehicles Department is preparing action to prevent the teenager from obtaining a driving licence until he turns 25. Authorities also plan to suspend the registration certificate of the car involved in the crash.

Meanwhile, the portfolio judge has submitted a report to the Kerala High Court flagging an alleged procedural lapse by the additional judge in visiting the police station.

According to the report, a judicial officer must obtain the district judge’s permission before visiting a police station for purposes unrelated to official duties. The additional judge allegedly failed to follow this requirement.

The High Court’s administrative committee may decide on Tuesday whether to suspend him.

Separately, the victim’s family has alleged that the teenager previously posted social media reels showing himself driving at excessive speeds. They claimed his profile contained photographs of him driving and footage purportedly showing a car travelling at 208 kmph.

The teenager reportedly deleted his Instagram page after the crash attracted widespread attention. Jayabalakrishnan’s family alleged that the deletion was an attempt to destroy evidence.

The family’s allegations concerning the videos, the claimed speed and the reason for deleting the account have not been independently established in this report.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman