Money power at play to shield Suhail Sajeev? Victims' family fear sabotage chance

KOCHI: New allegations suggest that attempts are ongoing to shield Suhail Sajeev—the son of a multimillionaire—who ran over and killed three students in the middle of the road at Nedumbassery. The families of the victim girls themselves suspect that the police and influential figures are shielding him.

From omitting Suhail's name from the FIR, remanding him to a Borstal school, and subjecting the victims to abuse on social media, the parents of the victims doubt foul play in the move.

The family of the victim Gopika (a native of Palakkad) has also alleged that the case might be sabotaged. The family of Devika (a native of Wayanad) had staged a protest the other day.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala assured the accused would face the maximum possible punishment. The charge of culpable homicide has been filed against the accused. Along with Suhail, the co-accused—Joel S. Anto, Ameen Shah, and Ninav—are also lodged at the Kakkanad Borstal School; all of them are 19 years old. The Angamaly Magistrate Court will consider Suhail's bail plea the day after tomorrow.

Police filed an application seeking custody of the accused. The remand report states that the accident was caused by driving at high speed while under the influence of alcohol. The custody application notes the need to verify whether Suhail had consumed other intoxicants and highlights the possibility that the affluent Suhail might influence witnesses.

1. Instead of Suhail's name, the FIR recorded the individual simply as the driver of the car bearing registration number KL 07 CR-1001. The address was listed as "unknown," and there was no mention of drunk driving. The FIR was registered at 6:59 AM on Sunday, whereas the accident had occurred at 1:45 AM.

2. The Kerala Borstal Schools Act and prison regulations stipulate that only offenders aged between 16 and 21 should be admitted to the facility. However, the decision to lodge Suhail, an undertrial prisoner, raised suspicions.

3. After the post-mortem examination of Gopika's body was completed and the incisions were sutured, a second post-mortem was conducted to collect blood samples. Gopika's father alleged that the Circle Inspector (CI) stated this was being done following "orders from above."

"Suhail was not named in the FIR because the friends of the victims did not know his name.”- K.S. Sudarshan, Rural SP, Aluva

"It has been established that Suhail had consumed alcohol. The maximum punishment for culpable homicide is ten years' imprisonment and a fine."- Advocate C.P. Udayabhanu, Criminal Law Expert.