Hubris, money and arrogance: 19-year-old teen's late-night Mini Cooper ride kills three in Kochi

NEDUMBASSERY: Three lives were lost after an upstart teen rammed his luxury car into a scooter on the outskirts of Kochi on Saturday night. The victims were members of underprivileged families who had been travelling on the scooter.

Devika (Kukku, 21)—daughter of Santhosh, hailing from Santhosh Bhavan, Kalpetta, Wayanad; Gopika (22)—daughter of M.R. Pradeep Kumar, an auto-rickshaw driver from Mullankuzhi House, Nellatta Karimba, Edakkurssi, Mannarkkad, Palakkad; and Iyyas (21)—son of Ibrahim, from Kanakamanchal House, Coorg, Karnataka are the victims of the ghastly road accident.

Police arrested Suhail Sajeev—of 'Sajeev Jamal Manzil' in Alisserry, Alappuzha, and currently living at Gold Tower, Kakkanad—on charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The accident occurred at 1:40 AM yesterday near Suvarnodyanam Biological Park, close to the airport.

Ninav (22), a native of Kommadi Palaparambil House, Alappuzha, was arrested on Sunday night. He was also in the car with Suhail at the time of the accident. Cases will be registered against other friends, Joel and Ameen. Suhail is the son of Sajeev, Chairman of the clothing firm 'Iha Designs', and Nooha, the firm's Managing Director. Suhail is a B. Com student at Rajagiri College, Kakkanad.

The speeding Mini Cooper crashed into the rear of the scooter. All three victims died instantly after being thrown onto the road and sustaining severe head injuries. The car dragged the scooter for about 100 meters before coming to a halt after smashing into a concrete barrier.

The three victims were students pursuing a logistics course in Ernakulam and also worked part-time at 'Sukoyo Premium Craft Shop' in Thrikkakara. The accident occurred while they were returning after a meal at a hotel in Nedumbassery. Gopika's mother is Sajitha; her siblings are Abhijit and Deepika. Iyyas's mother is Rukhiya; his sister is Isthifa. Devika's mother is Saritha; her brother is Devanand.

It is reported that Suhail, after coming out of the vehicle, snapped at the locals who had gathered at the scene, telling them, "My father will handle the case." When brought to Angamaly Taluk Hospital for a medical examination, friends of Iyyas slapped the accused.

Minister M. Liju directed that cases be registered against three bars for serving alcohol to a 19-year-old. This action is being taken because the legal minimum age for purchasing alcohol is 23. The Minister also stated that the licenses of these bars would be revoked.