Story perspectives

Kerala police arrest Suhail Sajeev over fatal drunk crash

By Drooid · Oct 13, 2026, 4:14 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Kerala Police Arrest

Kerala police arrested 19-year-old Suhail Sajeev for culpable homicide after his Mini Cooper killed three students.
Police said Suhail drove over 200 km/h while intoxicated at about 1:45 am.
The victims were Devika, 21; Gopika, 22; and Ijaz, 21, traveling near Nedumbassery airport.
Excise Minister M Liju ordered action against bars that served him alcohol, violating the 23-year age limit.

Summary

Police Impound Vehicle

Police said friends of the victims struck Suhail Sajeev on the head during his hospital examination.
Police took one assailant into custody after intervening in the hospital altercation.
Co-passenger Ninah, also 19, was arrested and presented before court with Suhail.
Police impounded the Mini Cooper and completed a forensic examination of the vehicle.
Authorities announced increased patrolling near the airport road to curb future speeding incidents.

Summary

Minister Liju Charges

Devika’s family sold land to fund her education before the crash.
She was the sole breadwinner and planned Gulf employment within two to four months.
Uncle Sandeep said the victims’ bodies remain at the ancestral home because of space shortage.
Excise Department, led by Minister M Liju, lodged cases against bars in Vyttila, Palarivattom and Nedumbassery.
Officials noted the bars sold liquor to persons under 23, risking licence cancellation pending investigation.

History

Historical Context

The Motor Vehicles Act, passed in 1988 and effective from 1 July 1989, replaced colonial statutes and established licensing, registration and penalties for traffic offences, including drink-driving. A 2017 amendment bill sought to raise imprisonment for drink-driving deaths from two to seven years, showing a trend toward harsher sanctions. This legislative lineage underpins Kerala Police and Minister M Liju’s 2024 crackdown on liquor sales and high-speed crashes.

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Kerala Police Arrest

Kerala police arrested 19-year-old Suhail Sajeev for culpable homicide after his Mini Cooper killed three students.
Police said Suhail drove over 200 km/h while intoxicated at about 1:45 am.
The victims were Devika, 21; Gopika, 22; and Ijaz, 21, traveling near Nedumbassery airport.
Excise Minister M Liju ordered action against bars that served him alcohol, violating the 23-year age limit.

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