Kochi | Keralam Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Friday visited the family of Jayabalakrishnan, who was killed after a Mercedes-Benz allegedly driven by the minor son of an Additional District and Sessions Judge rammed his scooter, and assured them of the government's support.

Kochi City Police Commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar, who was recently transferred amid allegations of lapses in the investigation, denied that he had been contacted by the judge or anyone else regarding the case.

The CM's visit comes amid growing scrutiny of the incident and its subsequent handling, including allegations of preferential treatment involving the judge's son.

Satheesan was accompanied by Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden and MLA T J Vinod.

"Visited the house of Jayabalakrishnan, who was killed in the road accident in Cheranalloor. Consoled the family. We will stand with them," Satheesan said in a Facebook post.

Jayabalakrishnan's wife, daughter and son raised concerns, alleging that the judge had tampered with evidence.

They alleged that the judge arrived at the scene soon after the accident and tampered with evidence, and demanded that all CCTV cameras in the area be examined.

Bhadrakeerthi, daughter of Jayabalakrishnan, told reporters that the family had raised all its concerns with the CM and submitted a written representation in this regard.

"He has assured us that the government will stand with us. But no concrete assurance has been received," she said.

Regarding the demand to suspend the judge, Bhadrakeerthi said the government had its limitations, as it was for the judiciary to decide the matter.

Bhadrakeerthi said the family would decide whether to resume its protest after the Additional Sessions Court delivered its order on the investigation team's petition seeking cancellation of the juvenile's bail.

"If we remain silent, they will let things loose. The concern we have been raising from the beginning is that the judge on the opposite side is someone who handles cases of this nature," she claimed.

The accident occurred on October 25 in Kochi when the Mercedes-Benz rammed a two-wheeler, killing 55-year-old Jayabalakrishnan.

The victim's family has alleged a conspiracy to sabotage the case after the 17-year-old accused was granted bail at the police station, triggering protests and raising questions over accountability.

The minor was subsequently taken into custody after further charges were added but was granted bail by the Juvenile Justice Board.

The accused's father, the judge, was later arraigned as an accused in the case, but the Kerala High Court directed the police not to arrest him.

Earlier in the day, Kochi City Police Commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar told reporters that the judge had never contacted him and denied receiving any request from anyone to handle the investigation in a particular manner.

Kumar, an Inspector General-rank officer, was transferred and replaced by IG R Nishanthini.

There were reports that Kumar was transferred after the judge allegedly contacted him following the accident.

"Let me make one thing clear. From the beginning of the case to the end, no one from outside contacted me. We have not made any intervention in the case. The investigation has proceeded on the basis of evidence and will continue to do so," he said.

Referring to reports that the judge had called him and that the investigation was handled in a manner favourable to him, Kumar said, "The judge never called me. Nobody else has called me either. Neither the judge nor anyone else has ever approached me asking that the case be handled in a particular way. I have never received any such request from anywhere."

Kumar said he wanted to clarify the matter as he would not get another opportunity to do so and was not active on social media.

On his transfer, Kumar said it was a routine administrative move and part of the service.

"We are government employees and officers in the police service. Transfers and other such matters are part of our lives. I have no issue with it," he said.

In the morning, the Additional Sessions Court, which is considering the police petition seeking cancellation of the minor's bail, directed the prosecution to file a fresh petition.

The court pointed out that the petition mentioned the minor's name and address, noting that disclosing a child's identity could result in imprisonment under the Juvenile Justice Act.

The prosecution was directed to remove the minor's identifying details from the petition.

The court directed the counsel for Jayabalakrishnan's family, who had filed an impleading petition, to remove the details identifying the minor.

The fresh petitions will be considered on Saturday.

When the court considered the petition, a relative of Jayabalakrishnan raised allegations against the lawyer representing the family, claiming that the vakalath (authorisation to represent a client) had been signed under pressure.

The judge subsequently asked the lawyer who had authorised him to represent the family in the case.

The lawyer said it was Jayabalakrishnan's daughter.

Bhadrakeerthi also denied that she had been forced to sign the document and said the family had known the lawyer for a long time.