Kochi, 06 Nov (H.S.):

The Kerala High Court on Friday declined to grant immediate bail to Suhail Sajeev, the prime accused in the Nedumbassery Mini Cooper accident that claimed three lives, while allowing bail to three other accused in the case.

The court indicated that Suhail could be granted bail after ten days, taking into account the progress of the investigation.

Hearing the bail applications filed by all four accused, the High Court described the accident as unfortunate and questioned the investigating officers on whether all crucial evidence had been collected.

The court observed that judicial decisions could not be guided by public sentiment and must be based strictly on legal provisions and established procedures.

The prosecution informed the court that additional evidence remained to be collected and that the investigation could be completed within two weeks.

Meanwhile, a technical examination of the Mini Cooper’s Event Data Recorder (EDR) has revealed that the vehicle was travelling at an exceptionally high speed immediately before the fatal collision.

According to a report submitted by BMW to the investigating team, the car was travelling at 162 kilometres per hour just five seconds before the accident. The report also revealed that the vehicle covered approximately 500 metres in just 11 seconds.

The findings have strengthened the prosecution’s case that excessive speeding was a major factor behind the tragedy.

The victims, identified as Iyyas, Devika and Gopika, were returning on a scooter after having tea at a shop near Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery when the speeding Mini Cooper struck their vehicle.

All three died at the accident site.

Police have registered a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder against Suhail Sajeev.

Investigators are expected to examine the technical findings alongside other evidence before completing the investigation.

The case has drawn attention to reckless driving and the dangers posed by high-speed vehicles on public roads.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman