Mini Cooper Accident: No immediate bail for Suhail; relief for other three accused

KOCHI: The High Court rejected the bail plea of ​​Suhail Sajeev, an accused in the Nedumbassery Mini Cooper accident case that claimed three lives. The court, however, granted bail to three other accused in the case—Ninav, Ameer Shah, and T Joel—who were in the car at the time of the accident. The order was issued with the observation that other serious charges would not hold against them.

However, the High Court clarified that the prime accused, Suhail, would be released only after 10 days. This decision follows a request from the prosecution to deny bail until the investigation is completed. The lawyer representing the victims' families argued that the accident was caused by driving at excessive speed while under the influence of alcohol, and noted that Suhail had been involved in similar accidents in the past.

However, Suhail’s counsel argued that the accused has been in custody ever since the accident occurred.

According to Suhail’s counsel:

Suhail is a second-year B.Com student and is academically bright. The investigation is nearly complete, and all evidence has been collected; therefore, there is no longer any need to keep him in custody. It was an unfortunate accident, and the youngster deserves the right to be granted bail.

On the early morning of October 11, a Mini Cooper driven by Suhail collided with a scooter on the Nedumbassery Airport-Athani road, resulting in the deaths of three young people—Iyas, Devika, and Gopika. The police determined that Suhail was driving under the influence of alcohol and at an excessive speed; consequently, charges including culpable homicide not amounting to murder were filed against him. Previously, both the Angamaly Magistrate Court and the Ernakulam Sessions Court had rejected the bail pleas of the four accused, including Suhail. Following this, they approached the High Court.