Mini Cooper accident: Setback for Suhail and co-accused as court rejects bail plea

KOCHI: The court has denied bail to Suhail Sajeev, the main accused in the Mini Cooper accident case in Nedumbassery that claimed the lives of three students. The Ernakulam Additional Sessions Court also rejected bail to co-accused Ninav, Joel and Ameer. The accident happened on October 11. The luxury car driven by Suhail rammed into a scooter, killing Iyas (22), K V Devika (21) and M P Gopika (22). The accident happened near the Athani Airport signal junction on the airport road.

The accused approached the district court seeking bail after spending 14 days in judicial custody. However, the court upheld the arguments of the prosecution and police that bail should not be granted, considering the seriousness of the case, in which three died after the accused drove at excessive speed under the influence of alcohol. The court accepted the prosecution's argument that granting bail would send a wrong message to the society.

The prosecution informed the court that granting bail to the accused could adversely affect the investigation and encourage the recurrence of similar offences. The investigation team also informed the court that there was substantial evidence against Suhail Sajeev. The prosecution pointed that Suhail was highly intoxicated while driving, with more than twice the permissible alcohol limit in his body.

The police also submitted a voice message sent by Joel, the third accused, which implicates 19-year-old Suhail, the main accused. The message sent to a friend at 9.25 am on the morning of the accident emerged. Its contents reportedly indicate that the vehicle was driven after drinking alcohol.

The defence, however, argued that Suhail had not been at fault and that keeping him in jail after the completion of the initial custody period was unjustified. The court rejected these arguments.

The Angamaly Magistrate Court had earlier dismissed the bail pleas of the accused. They approached the sessions court after bail was denied by the magistrate court.