Kochi mini cooper crash: ‘Knocked down for that?’ Court asks as Defense blames triple riding trio

Kochi: The court has commenced hearing the bail applications of the accused, including Suhail, in connection with the fatal Mini Cooper crash near Nedumbassery, with defense counsel questioning the credibility of the primary police statement and the circumstances leading up to the incident.

Appearing for the defense, Advocate Sebi Jose Kidangoor argued that the crash was caused because three individuals were traveling together on a single scooter. The court intervened with a sharp counter-question, asking whether that justified knocking them down. Addressing the court’s observation, the defense categorised the triple-riding as a traffic violation, to which the court responded by highlighting the fatality, “Haven't they died? What action can be taken against them?”

The defense counsel raised strong objections regarding the police's reliance on the initial statement recorded after the collision. The statement was provided by an individual named Priyad, who arrived in another vehicle shortly after the crash occurred.

“Priyad arrived after the crash took place and is not an eyewitness. How can he provide the preliminary statement? Is there any evidence to show he witnessed the event to give such a statement? There are serious doubts surrounding this,” the defense argued before the bench.

Advocate Kidangoor further asserted that the police have failed to investigate how either the accused or the deceased arrived at the scene of the incident, claiming that critical background details remain unexamined. Alleging a larger conspiracy against the accused, the defense maintained that the exact sequence of events leading to the collision remains completely unclear.

The hearing on the bail applications continues as the defense maintains its stance challenging the prosecution's narrative and witness credibility.