Three More People Arraigned as Accused in Mini Cooper Accident in Kochi

Kochi: Three more people were arraigned as accused in the accident in which three youngsters were killed after a speeding Mini Cooper car hit their scooter at Nedumbassery near here, police said on Monday. The accident occurred around 2 am on Sunday, when a speeding Mini Cooper struck the scooter carrying the three youngsters.

Kochi native Suhail, who was allegedly driving the car under the influence of alcohol, was arrested soon after the incident.

Police said that Suhail's mother gifted the luxury-category car as a birthday gift and there were videos of his clocking over 200 km per hour on several occasions.

His friend Ninav was also taken into custody on Sunday, police said.

During the investigation, police found that two more persons, identified as Ameer and Joel, were also in the car.

They allegedly fled the scene soon after the accident and were later taken into custody from Alappuzha with the help of local police, officials said.

Suhail is the first accused in the case, while Ninav, Ameer and Joel have been arraigned as accused for allegedly abetting the offence, police said.

The investigation revealed that Suhail and Ninav had consumed alcohol at bars in Ernakulam city before Ameer and Joel joined them.

The four allegedly continued drinking despite being heavily intoxicated and then travelled in the car, police said.

According to police, Ameer and Joel had reached Nedumbassery to pick up a friend arriving at the airport.

As the flight was delayed, they joined Suhail for a high-speed ride in the Mini Cooper.

Police said two occupants got out of the car and fled after the accident, allegedly escaping in another vehicle.

The arrest of the three accused persons will be formally recorded, police said.

Officials added that police would soon file a petition with the court seeking Suhail's custody for further investigation.