Full Breakdown
Fatal Mini Cooper Crash Near Kochi Airport Claims Three Lives
By Drooid · · How we work
The Crash and Immediate Aftermath
In the early hours of October 11, a Mini Cooper driven by 19-year-old Suhail Sajeev struck a scooter carrying three young adults on the road to Cochin International Airport at approximately 1:45 a.m. in Nedumbassery, Ernakulam. The impact threw the scooter’s occupants—Devika (21, Wayanad), Gopika (22, Palakkad) and Ijaz (21, Karnataka)—onto the road; Devika and Gopika died at the scene, and Ijaz later died in hospital. Police registered a culpable homicide case against Suhail and arrested his co-passenger Ninav (19) at the scene.
Background & Context
Suhail had received the Mini Cooper as a birthday gift from his mother. Police allege that Suhail and his friends visited three bars on October 10, consuming alcohol despite Kerala’s legal drinking age of 23.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Oct 10 | Suhail and friends allegedly drank at three bars in Kochi. |
| Oct 11 | Crash at ~1:45 a.m.; three victims killed. |
| Oct 11 | Police arrest Suhail and Ninav; collect blood and urine samples. |
| Oct 12 | Two additional suspects, Ameer and Joel, arrested in Alappuzha. |
| Apr 20 | Instagram video from an account attributed to Suhail shows speedometer climbing to 220 km/h. |
| Oct 12 | Excise Minister M Liju orders action against bars that served the under-age driver. |
Data & Statistics
- Victims: three (Devika, Gopika, Ijaz), all 21-22 years old.
- Speed estimates: police witnesses say “over 120 km/h”; an Instagram video displays a speedometer reading up to 220 km/h.
- Arrests: Suhail, Ninav, Ameer, Joel—remanded to the Borstal School in Thrikkakara.
- Legal actions: culpable homicide case (Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) filed; Excise Department opened inquiries against three bars.
Official Statements & Responses
- KS Sudarshan, Superintendent of Police, Ernakulam Rural, said investigators are reviewing CCTV, forensic samples and the Instagram video to determine speed and possible intoxication.
- M Liju, Kerala Excise Minister, directed the Excise Commissioner to identify and register cases against the bars that allegedly served alcohol to Suhail, noting the violation of the state’s legal drinking age.
- Police said final conclusions will await blood-test results and a technical examination of the vehicle.
Criticism & Opposition
The victims’ families have called for murder charges rather than the lesser culpable homicide provision. A family spokesperson said, “We hope the government and police will handle the case fairly.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Speed: Police witness statements place speed at “over 120 km/h,” while the Instagram video shows a reading of 220 km/h. The video’s location and driver identity have not been independently verified.
- Intoxication: Preliminary forensic observations suggest possible alcohol consumption, but definitive blood-test results are still pending.
What’s Next
- The Excise Department will decide whether to cancel the licences of the three implicated bars.
- Courts are expected to hear a petition seeking Suhail’s continued custody for further investigation.
- Final forensic reports on blood alcohol concentration and any presence of narcotics will be released once analysis is complete.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities balancing evidence from CCTV, social-media footage, and forensic testing to determine liability in this high-speed collision.