Kerala High Court frees four youths charged in Nedumbassery crash

Kerala High Court on Friday granted bail to the four youths charged in the Nedumbassery luxury-car crash that killed three two-wheeler riders. Justice Kauser Edappagath approved the applications, noting that all four are in their early twenties, have no prior criminal record, and have already spent several weeks in jail. The driver, Suhail Sajeev, will be released on November 16 after the State asked for more time to investigate; the three passengers – Ninav, Joyal S. Anto and Ameen Shah – are to be freed as soon as possible. The accident happened at about 1.45 a.m. on October 11 on Airport Road near Athani when Sajeev’s car struck a two-wheeler, killing Gopika, Devika and Iyas. Prosecutors have charged the four under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for rash and negligent driving, culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and abetment with a common intention. During the hearing the accused argued that continued detention would disrupt their studies and pledged to obey any bail conditions. The bench rejected the suggestion that their consumption of alcohol or speed automatically meant they knew about the alleged offences, emphasizing that such assumptions require proof.

Context

Bail decisions in India often weigh the accused’s age, clean record and time already spent in custody. The case highlights ongoing concerns about reckless driving and the legal process that follows fatal road accidents.