Nedumbassery luxury car crash: first and third accused seek bail in Kerala High Court

The first and third accused in the Nedumbassery luxury car crash have moved the Kerala High Court seeking bail. Earlier, the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Angamaly, and the Additional Sessions Judge, Ernakulam, had declined their petitions.

Justice Kauser Edappagath sought the State’s response to the bail applications moved by the first accused, Suhail Sajeev, and the third accused, Joyal S. Anto. The court will consider the matter again on November 6.

Both accused contended that as 19-year-old students, their continued detention would negatively affect their education. They said they would fulfil any bail conditions necessary to ensure their continued cooperation. Suhail and Joyal undertook to cooperate with the investigation, appear before the investigating officer as directed, and refrain from tampering with evidence.

Joyal pointed out that he was merely a passive rear-seat passenger in the vehicle involved in the crash, did not own the vehicle, and did not exercise any control over the vehicle’s operation, speed or direction. He stated that despite the investigating agency’s initial failure to secure the site, objective site documentation did not indicate a premeditated crime. He also claimed that the prosecution had failed to associate him with the alleged offence and contended that the investigating agency had not collected his blood or urine sample to establish the allegation of alcohol consumption.

At around 1.45 a.m. on October 11, the car driven by Suhail had crashed into a two-wheeler on the Airport Road near Athani, claiming the lives of Gopika, 21, Devika, 21, and Iyas, 21. Joyal and two other accused Ninav and Ameer were in the car with Suhail, and all four were charged under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for rash and negligent driving, culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and abetment with a common intention.