“Not punishment”: Chennithala denies link between Kochi Police Commissioner’s transfer and Cheranalloor case

Alappuzha (Keralam) [India], October 30 (ANI): Keralam Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Friday denied that the transfer of Kochi City Police Commissioner S Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar was linked to the Cheranalloor fatal accident case, saying the move was part of the normal administrative process and not a punishment.
Responding to questions from the media, Chennithala said action had been taken against those responsible for the alleged lapses in the case based on the report submitted by the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP).
“Who said the Kochi City Police Commissioner was transferred because of the Cheranalloor incident? Action was taken against those responsible based on the ADGP’s report. A transfer is not a punishment; it is part of the normal administrative process. I have never said anywhere that the transfer was connected to this incident,” the Home Minister said.
The transfer comes amid scrutiny over the police handling of a fatal road accident in Kochi’s Cheranalloor area involving a 17-year-old, the son of an Additional District Judge. The accident claimed the life of a 55-year-old scooter rider, identified as Jayabalakrishnan, a native of Manjali.
Earlier, four police personnel were suspended in connection with alleged lapses in the handling of the case. 
The District Crime Branch (DCB) had conducted an evidence-collection raid as part of the investigation. The case was initially registered under the provision relating to death caused by negligence and was subsequently altered to Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relating to culpable homicide, after evidence emerged indicating that the vehicle was allegedly overspeeding.
Advocate MG Sreejith, representing the victim’s side, on Thursday said a magistrate court had earlier granted bail, against which the state filed an appeal. “We have a right to approach the same court because we are also aggrieved. So we filed an impleading application, aiding the prosecution to cancel the bail,” he told reporters.
He said the court, after hearing arguments on maintainability, was satisfied and issued notices to the child in conflict with the law and his parent. The case is posted for November 13, 2026, for further hearing.
On Wednesday, the Kochi district sessions court also denied bail to the minor accused and his acquaintance in connection with the accident. The victims' representatives have separately moved to challenge the bail granted earlier by a magistrate court.
Separately, on the action taken against a police officer allegedly caught stealing MDMA seized in a case and kept at a police station, Chennithala said strict action would be taken against officials involved in such misconduct.
“Strict action will be taken against officials involved in such activities. Action has already been taken against the officer concerned. Operation Toofan is one of the Keralam government's flagship initiatives. Officials who misappropriate seized narcotics or tamper with evidence will have no place in the police force. We will not allow anyone to steal or tamper with seized contraband. This initiative is aimed at protecting Kerala, and officers involved in such misconduct will not be allowed to remain in the force,” he said. (ANI)