Additional District and Sessions Judge S. R. Syamlal dismissed the petitions submitted by Suhail Sajeev, the principal accused, and co-accused Ninav, Ameen Sha and Joyal S. Anto. All four are aged 19 and remain in judicial custody. The detailed judicial order was awaited.
The accused had approached the sessions court after the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court at Angamaly rejected their initial bail applications on October 17. Wednesday’s decision represents their second unsuccessful attempt to secure release since their arrests following the October 11 collision.
The prosecution opposed bail on the grounds that the investigation remained at a crucial stage and that releasing the accused could create opportunities to influence witnesses or interfere with evidence. Investigators also presented material concerning the circumstances preceding the fatal collision.
The accident occurred around 1.45 am on October 11 along the Athani-Airport road near Nedumbassery, when a Mini Cooper allegedly driven by Suhail struck a scooter carrying three young people. All three occupants died following the collision.
The victims were identified as Devika, 21, from Wayanad, Gopika, 22, from Palakkad, and Iyas, 21, from Sullia in Karnataka. The three were travelling together when the luxury vehicle allegedly struck their scooter from behind.
Police have accused Suhail of driving at excessive speed while intoxicated. The prosecution informed the court that chemical examinations of his blood and urine samples indicated substantial alcohol consumption before the collision.
The blood examination recorded an alcohol concentration of 161 milligrams per 100 millilitres, while the urine sample registered 230 milligrams per 100 millilitres. Prosecutors maintained that the blood alcohol reading was more than five times the applicable permissible driving limit.
Investigators also relied on digital evidence, including CCTV recordings, footage allegedly captured by the accused and information retrieved from the vehicle. The prosecution maintained that the available material supported allegations of dangerous driving and the involvement of the other occupants.
A significant element presented during the bail proceedings was an audio message allegedly recorded by Joyal after the collision. Police recovered the recording from his mobile telephone and submitted it before the court while opposing the applications.
The recording, lasting approximately one minute and 43 seconds, allegedly describes the group’s alcohol consumption, the vehicle’s speed and the circumstances surrounding the accident. Investigators consider the message relevant to establishing the sequence of events and the knowledge of those travelling together.
The prosecution also referred to footage allegedly showing the car travelling at speeds between 140 and 160 kilometres per hour. Investigators have been examining whether the material establishes the vehicle’s movements before the collision and supports the allegations against its occupants.
The defence disputed the prosecution’s case for continued detention, arguing that the circumstances of the collision required examination alongside scientific evidence, the movements of both vehicles and conditions at the accident location.
Counsel also questioned the legal basis for holding the three passengers responsible for the driver’s alleged conduct. The defence maintained that continued detention was unnecessary and challenged the prosecution’s allegations concerning abetment.
Police have invoked provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Section 105, dealing with culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The case also involves allegations concerning rash driving, abetment and common intention.
Suhail and Ninav were arrested on October 11 and remanded to judicial custody.
(The article ‘Bail denied in Mini Cooper crash’ appeared first on Free Press Journal.)
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