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Crime
Kerala HC Orders Police Not to Arrest Judge Over Cheranalloor Car Crash
✍️ The Hindu
🗓 29 Oct 2026, 01:45 PM
👁 2
The Kerala High Court has directed the police to refrain from arresting the judge accused in the Cheranalloor luxury car crash until further orders.
A luxury car crash in Cheranalloor on 14 September 2023 left 45‑year‑old Jayabalakrishnan dead after the vehicle collided with a truck. The incident has drawn intense media scrutiny and public outcry.
Justice Kauser Edappagath, the judge whose car was involved, has faced accusations of negligence and was expected to be taken into custody by the police. In a hearing held on 20 October, the Kerala High Court issued a stay on any arrest pending further orders.
The court emphasized that it could not "succumb to public opinion" and that the legal process must proceed without undue influence. The judge’s anticipatory bail petition was allowed to proceed, with family members of the victim being impleaded to ensure their interests are represented.
The directive means that the police must wait for a definitive order before detaining the judge, while the case moves forward through the judicial system. The High Court has signalled that it will review the matter closely as more evidence emerges.
Justice Kauser Edappagath, the judge whose car was involved, has faced accusations of negligence and was expected to be taken into custody by the police. In a hearing held on 20 October, the Kerala High Court issued a stay on any arrest pending further orders.
The court emphasized that it could not "succumb to public opinion" and that the legal process must proceed without undue influence. The judge’s anticipatory bail petition was allowed to proceed, with family members of the victim being impleaded to ensure their interests are represented.
The directive means that the police must wait for a definitive order before detaining the judge, while the case moves forward through the judicial system. The High Court has signalled that it will review the matter closely as more evidence emerges.