KOCHI: Sources said that a renowned businessman was involved in the case in which three people, including former Miss Kerala, were killed in a car accident in Kochi. Police have also found that the statement given by Kakkanad native Saiju was false. According to police, the women left in the car after talking to him on the road. No case has been registered against him. It is suspected that Saiju has close connections with the owner of the No. 18 hotel in Fort Kochi.

Saiju was questioned for hours yesterday. The group of four, including former miss Kerala Ansi Kabeer, set off in a blue Ford Figo car after the celebrations at the hotel that lasted until midnight. Saiju followed the car and stopped them at Kundannoor. CCTV footage obtained from the area showed the women rushing from the spot at a breakneck speed after talking to him.

Although Saiju had reached the spot, he left for Edappally without taking part in the rescue operation. He told the police that he did not notice the car and saw only a bike lying on the road. He also told the police that he followed Ansi's car to warn them that they should not be driving under the influence of alcohol. However, Abdul Rahman informed the police that Saiju was not their friend.

Investigation moving at snail's pace

Meanwhile, it is alleged that the investigation into the case is moving at a snail's pace. Sources said that the owners of the hotel have connections with top police officials, including former DGP. The CCTV footage at the hotel was destroyed on the day of the accident. Although the police had inspected the house of the hotel owner to recover the footage, they were not able to find any lead.