The Kerala Police has registered a case against the District Judge, who is the registered owner of the Mercedes-Benz allegedly driven by his 17-year-old son that led to a fatal accident in Cheranaloor, Kochi on the early hours of Sunday (October 25).

According to media reports, the judge has been booked under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act [Offences by juveniles].

As per Section 199A(1), where a juvenile commits an offence, his guardian or the owner of the motor vehicle shall be deemed to be guilty and shall be liable for punishment. The provision also says that the guardian or owner would not be liable, if he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or that he exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence. However, the presumption is that the juvenile used the vehicle with the consent of the guardian or the vehicle owner.

The luxury car driven by the teen rammed into the scooter, which was ridden by a 55-year-old street food vendor named Jayabalakrishnan at around 2:00 am while he was returning home.

The minor was taken into custody by the Cheranalloor police and was released on station bail. Subsequently, following protests by the victim's family and neighbour, he was taken into custody. He was produced before the Juvenile Justice Board yesterday and released on bail.