19-year-old, Suhail Sajeev prime accused in the Mini Cooper crash
KOCHI: Suhail Sajeev, the 19-year-old prime accused in the Mini Cooper crash that killed three youngsters near Kochi airport, had a blood alcohol level around five times the permissible limit, according to a medical examination report, police said.
He remained inside the police vehicle as a large crowd had gathered at the spot, officials said. Three other accused — Ninav, Ameer and Joel — were also in the car when the crash occurred, police said. Police also took the accused to bars where they had allegedly consumed alcohol before the accident, officials said.
The findings prompted investigators to invoke additional charges against him. During Thursday’s evidence collection, officers recorded Suhail’s account of the incident inside the bus instead of bringing him out, as a crowd had assembled at the scene. On Thursday, police took Suhail to the accident site on the Athani-Airport road in Nedumbassery to collect evidence. The four accused were scheduled to be produced before the court later on Thursday, following the end of their police custody.
The victims’ family members had alleged that Suhail’s wealthy parents were attempting to influence the investigation. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala later clarified that the court decides where remanded accused are lodged. He assured the families that no special treatment would be given to the accused and that justice would be ensured.