Kochi, 30 Oct (H.S.): A court in Ernakulam on Friday criticised the prosecution for disclosing the identity of a 17-year-old accused in the Cheranelloor road accident case while seeking cancellation of his bail, and directed it to submit a fresh appeal without identifying particulars.

The court dealing with cases involving atrocities against women and children questioned how the government could file an appeal containing the juvenile’s complete details. It remarked that virtually every identifying particular had been included, leaving only his photograph to be added.

Directing the prosecution to correct the lapse, the court said the fresh appeal must exclude information revealing the teenager’s identity. It also cautioned that disclosure of such particulars could constitute an offence punishable with imprisonment of up to two years.

The court will consider the appeal on Saturday. The teenager had earlier been granted bail by the Juvenile Justice Board in connection with the accident.

The proceedings also witnessed a dispute involving a relative of Jayabalakrishnan, who died in the accident, and an advocate appearing in the matter.

When the court asked who had authorised the advocate to represent the family, the lawyer replied that Jayabalakrishnan’s daughter had signed the vakalatnama, the document authorising legal representation.

However, Jayabalakrishnan’s relative Jayalakshmi challenged the circumstances in which the authorisation had been obtained. She alleged that the advocate had compelled the daughter to sign the document.

The allegation added another contentious issue to proceedings already marked by the court’s objections to the prosecution’s handling of the juvenile’s personal information.

The immediate direction was for the prosecution to submit a revised appeal protecting the minor’s identity before the matter is taken up again. The request to cancel the teenager’s bail remains pending, with the court yet to decide whether the relief granted by the Juvenile Justice Board should be withdrawn.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman