Kochi, Oct 17 A court in Keralam on Saturday dismissed the bail petitions of four accused in the Mini Cooper crash near here that claimed the lives of three youngsters, prosecution sources said.
Angamaly Judicial First Class Magistrate Samyuktha M K dismissed the bail pleas filed by Suhail, Ninav, Ameer and Joel.
Suhail, 19, was allegedly driving the car when it rammed a scooter carrying three youngsters on the airport road at Nedumbassery in the early hours of October 11.
The three victims, including two women, were around 21 years old.
Police arrested four people in connection with the accident. A medical examination reportedly revealed a high level of alcohol in Suhail’s bloodstream, following which additional charges were invoked in the case.
The court, in its order dismissing the bail petition, observed that the medical report prima facie supported the allegation that Suhail had consumed alcohol before driving the vehicle.
As per the report, the alcohol concentration in the blood sample of Suhail was reported as 161 mg per 100 ml, while the urine sample recorded 230 mg per 100 ml, the court said.
“The reported blood alcohol concentration is substantially higher than the permissible limit of 30 mg per 100 ml prescribed under section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. This is a significant circumstance to be considered while assessing the prosecution case at the present stage,” the court said.
The prosecution alleged that three lives were lost in a single occurrence involving intoxicated driving at an exceptionally high speed, which is undoubtedly a serious circumstance.
“The gravity of the occurrence is relevant to the exercise of discretion in a bail application, particularly when considered alongside the prima facie materials concerning the manner of driving and the consequences that followed,” the court observed.
The court said that the vehicle was driven allegedly by Suhail, in a public way at an excessive speed of more than 100km/hr, in a totally drunken state, accompanied by the other accused person, wherein the maximum permissible speed limit is only 60 or 70 km/hr.
“Such conduct demonstrates a flagrant disregard for traffic laws and public safety, reflecting a reckless and irresponsible attitude towards the safety and lives of other road users,” the court said.
According to the court, on perusal of prosecution records, it can be seen that the allegations against the accused persons are serious in nature.
The court said that there is every chance that the accused may try to influence or intimidate the witnesses and tamper with the evidence.
“The investigation is in it’s initial phase, and this court is of the view that granting bail at this stage will hamper the course of the investigation. In light of these circumstances, this court considers the detention of the accused is necessary for the proper investigation of the case,” the court observed, dismissing the bail petitions.
Meanwhile, police, along with the Motor Vehicles Department and Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL), examined the accident site again on Saturday.
Police sources said the inspection was conducted to assess the car’s speed and examine the road’s technical aspects.
Officials said that police and CIAL have decided to take measures to prevent overspeeding on the airport road stretch by installing additional CCTV cameras and enhancing enforcement.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the government and the Home Department were taking steps to ensure that the accused received the maximum punishment.
“All steps are being taken to ensure this. There will be no situation in which the accused can escape the law. Three young lives have been lost, and we cannot take this incident lightly,” he said.
(PTI News)
