Speed of 220 km/h? SIT to probe Mini Cooper accident case

KOCHI: The government appointed a special investigation team to investigate the Mini Cooper accident case amid strong allegations of police aiding the affluent Suhail Sajeev. This move comes after “Kerala Kaumudi” highlighted the lapses in the case as a lead story. Aluva DySP P.P. Baiju Paulose heads the special investigation team, while Aluva Rural SP K.S. Sudarshan will oversee the investigation.

Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan lashed out in the Assembly on Wednesday, alleging police negligence and pointing out the delay in registering an FIR despite the accused having been apprehended at the scene. Families of the victims also came forward, highlighting the police's failure.

The prime accused, Suhail Sajeev (of Nooh Manzil, Alissery, Alappuzha), along with co-accused Ninav, Joel S. Anto, and Ameen Shah, were interrogated on Wednesday after being taken into custody. The Angamaly Magistrate Court remanded them to custody until 5 PM on Thursday.

Evidence collection at the accident site will be conducted today. Inspections will also be carried out at the bars where alcohol was consumed. The licenses of three bars that served alcohol to the 19-year-olds were suspended. Authorities are also investigating whether Suhail had used other intoxicants in addition to alcohol.

Experts were brought in to examine the Event Data Recorder (EDR) of the Mini Cooper to determine its speed at the time of the accident. The EDR and ECU systems in the Mini Cooper accurately record speed and trip details, and the data can be retrieved using specialised tools. The accused previously shared footage on social media showing the vehicle being driven at a speed of 220 km/h. However, Suhail stated that the car was speeding at 100–140 km/h at the time of the accident.

Fearing protests, the accused were brought to the Angamaly Magistrate Court via a pocket road. The court premises were under a heavy police security cordon. They were transported from the Kakkanad Borstal School in a 'Traveller' van at 11:30 AM; their hair had been cropped short. The prosecution argued that the accident victims, too, had dreams and aspirations, and that the incident was caused by the accused driving under the influence of alcohol. The prosecution maintained that the accused were fully aware of the consequences of their actions. The defence argued that none of the three victims on the scooter were wearing helmets—and that this factor had exacerbated the severity of the tragedy.