The Kerala High Court on Friday ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct a further probe into the 2018 road accident that resulted in the deaths of acclaimed violinist Balabhaskar and his 18-month-old daughter. The court’s decision follows a plea filed by the victim’s parents, K.C. Unni and B. Santhakumari, who challenged a 2025 order from the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Thiruvananthapuram that had previously declined to reopen the investigation.
A Bench led by Justice G. Girish expressed strong disapproval of the CBI's handling of the case, describing it as "casual and lackadaisical." The court noted that the agency had assigned an inspector to the case who lacked the necessary seniority and expertise to properly evaluate the 20 suspicious circumstances surrounding the crash. According to the court, the investigation failed to meet the standards expected of a premier agency, as the officer reportedly avoided questioning witnesses who were under scrutiny and failed to effectively challenge findings made by earlier, higher-ranking officers.
The incident occurred on NH 66 near the CRPF camp in Pallipuram, when the vehicle driven by Arjun K. Narayanan crashed into a tree at approximately 94 kmph. While the initial probe by the State Crime Branch concluded the event was an accident, the investigation later gained complexity following allegations from individuals such as artist Kalabhavan Soby George, who claimed the vehicle was attacked by a group linked to gold smuggling. Furthermore, the case was linked to broader investigations into gold smuggling, notably involving the arrest of Balabhaskar’s friend, Prakash Thampi, by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence.
Under the High Court’s directive, the CBI must appoint an officer with a rank no lower than an Additional Superintendent of Police to lead the new inquiry. The agency has been granted a two-week window to issue the necessary orders and commence the expanded investigation into the case.
Comments