Vadakara accident: Swift car found 10 months later after inspecting 19,000 vehicles

Vadakara: It was a Saturday, and nine-year-old Drishana was thrilled as she prepared to visit her relatives in Vadakara. The prospect of spending Sunday playing with her friends brought her immense joy. However, tragedy struck when a devastating accident altered the course of her life.

While crossing the road at Chorode with her grandmother Baby, a car came speeding out of nowhere, hitting them and fleeing the scene. Baby, aged 62, tragically lost her life on the spot, while Drishana was left gravely injured. Since that day, she has been unconscious, lying in Kozhikode Medical College for the past 10 months. The police discovered that the car involved in the accident was a KL 18 R 1846 Swift. The car’s owner, Shajeel, had fled abroad.
 

Drishana, the daughter of Sudheer and Smitha from Kannur, was once a playful and cheerful child. Today, she lies in the hospital unresponsive, leaving her parents under immense emotional and financial strain. 

The police faced widespread criticism for their inability to locate the vehicle responsible, even after months of investigation. Mounting public pressure and intervention by the Human Rights Commission prompted the formation of a special investigation team led by Crime Branch DySP Benny.

In their pursuit of justice, the police examined 19,000 vehicles, scrutinised 500 workshops, reviewed insurance records, and monitored over 50,000 phone calls. CCTV footage from the area was also carefully analysed. The turning point came when investigators discovered that Shajeel, the car owner, had filed an insurance claim in March 2024, reporting damage to his vehicle after allegedly hitting a wall.

Upon inspection, the damage described in the claim matched the type sustained during such a road accident. Further analysis revealed that several key parts of the vehicle had been replaced, solidifying suspicions.