Angamaly court keeps Mini Cooper crash accused in custody, cites crucial stage of probe

Kochi: An Angamaly court on Saturday refused to release the accused in the Nedumbassery Mini Cooper crash, which claimed the lives of three young people near Cochin International Airport earlier this week.

The Judicial First Class Magistrate Court rejected the bail applications of driver Suhail Sajeev and his co-passengers Ninav, Joel and Ameer. While Suhail, the first accused, faces a charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, the other three have been booked for allegedly abetting the offence.

The prosecution opposed their release, arguing that the investigation was at a decisive stage. It told the court that forensic examination of Suhail’s blood and urine samples had confirmed alcohol consumption, while the car’s Event Data Recorder had been sent for analysis to establish the circumstances of the crash.

According to the prosecution, the 19-year-old driver was capable of understanding the consequences of his actions and should not be granted bail while key investigative procedures were pending. The court accepted the contention and dismissed the bail pleas.

The accident occurred around 2 a.m. on October 11 on the Athani-Airport Road in Nedumbassery, when the speeding Mini Cooper rammed into a scooter carrying Iyas, Gopika and Devika. All three, who were pursuing studies while working part-time at a craft shop in Thrikkakara, died in the crash.

The case has also sparked a political row after allegations circulated on social media that senior Congress leaders were attempting to shield the driver. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Saturday expressed displeasure over sections of the media allegedly carrying baseless reports suggesting that efforts were being made to protect the accused.

With the court declining bail, all four accused will remain in judicial custody. The findings of the EDR examination and the progress of the investigation are expected to be crucial in the case.

(Inputs from IANS)