Kochi, 25 Oct (H.S.): The Sessions Court will consider on Monday the bail application of Suhail Sajeev, the accused who allegedly drove the Mini Cooper involved in the fatal Nedumbassery crash, as his remand period comes to an end.

Investigators will decide on recording statements from the victims’ families after examining the court’s decision. The team plans to visit the homes of those killed in the accident to collect their accounts.

Police have also gathered additional footage, including visuals purportedly showing Suhail driving the car.

The Angamaly Magistrate Court had earlier rejected the bail applications of Suhail and his fellow occupants, Ninav, Joel and Ameer. According to the prosecution, blood test results established that Suhail had consumed alcohol before driving. Investigators alleged that the other occupants did not attempt to stop him.

Opposing bail, the prosecution maintained that eyewitness accounts and CCTV footage were crucial to the investigation. It pointed out that scientific examination of the vehicle’s event data recorder, which could provide information about the moments surrounding the collision, remained incomplete.

The court accepted these submissions and considered the prosecution’s apprehension that the accused could abscond or influence witnesses if released.

The defence argued that the accused, aged 19, should not remain in prison since police custody and evidence collection involving them had been completed. However, the court declined to grant relief.

Meanwhile, police led an inspection of the airport road where the crash occurred in the early hours of October 11. Officials examined whether the road’s design or construction had contributed to the accident.

Motor Vehicles Department, Cochin International Airport Limited and Public Works Department officials participated in the inspection.

Police have asked CIAL, which maintains the road, to introduce speed-control measures and install cameras capable of capturing vehicle registration numbers at night. These recommendations followed the joint inspection of the accident site.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman