Speculations being circulated, stop communalizing incident, says Chennithala

KOCHI: Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan demanded to examine whether there any lapses from the side of the police in the Mini Cooper accident in Nedumbassery. He directed that an inquiry should be conducted into several aspects, including the omission of the accused's name and the charge of drunk driving from the initial FIR, and the delay in conducting a medical examination of Suhail Sajeev, the main accused in the case. He also pointed the criticisms raised against the decision to send the accused to a Borstal School.

Meantime, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala responded that several people are spreading rumours about the case and that there had been no compromise in following the procedures to be adopted against those arrested. He said the FIR had been registered based on the statement of Riyad, a friend of the victims and that Suhail's name was not been included in the accused column because Riyad did not know the name of the person who was driving the car. He also harshly criticized those who portray the accident in a communal light.

Chennithala also responded to the allegation that Suhail's drunken state had not been recorded in the FIR. He clarified that the accused being under the influence of alcohol was recorded in the FIR as soon as it was confirmed through a medical examination conducted at the Aluva Taluk Hospital.

The home minister further stated that those arrested had been sent to a Borstal School in accordance with the court's directions. He added that if there was a need to amend the law under which offenders aged between 16 and 21 are sent to Borstal Schools, the matter could be discussed and a decision taken.

The case is presently being investigated by the Nedumbassery circle inspector. Aluva DySP Baiju Paulose has been directed to take over the investigation. South Zone IG R Nishanthini has been specially tasked with examining the complaints of the victims’ families and ensure appropriate action. Considering the importance of the matter, the government is also ready to appoint a special prosecutor in this case. Action in this regard will be taken after considering the opinion of the victims’ families.