Kochi: The Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-I at Angamaly on Thursday, October 22, rejected a request by the authorities of the Borstal School at Kakkanad to shift 19-year-old Suhail Sajeev, the prime accused in the Nedumbassery drunk-driving case that claimed three lives, to the Viyyur Central Jail, citing security concerns, The Hindu reported.

Source: The Hindu

The court pointed out that there is no specific evidence at present to show that the accused is facing safety threats at the facility. It also stated that the accused himself has not raised any concern over his safety at the Borstal School. The New Indian Express also reported the rejection of the plea on Thursday.

Source: The New Indian Express

What is solid

  • On October 11, a Mini Cooper hit a scooter carrying three youngsters on the Athani-Airport Road in Nedumbassery; all three died, according to the First Information Report (FIR) as reported by Bar and Bench.
  • The Nedumbassery Airport Police registered a case under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
  • On October 17, the Angamaly court rejected the bail applications of all four accused in the case.
  • Suhail Sajeev remains in custody at the Borstal School in Kakkanad after Thursday's order.

What is only claimed

  • Police allege that Sajeev drove the luxury car under the influence of alcohol at high speed — these are allegations that have not been proved at trial.
  • The Borstal School authorities cited security concerns in seeking the transfer — the court found no specific evidence of a safety threat.

The Nedumbassery police had earlier arrested Sajeev, who allegedly drove the luxury car under the influence of alcohol, and three co-passengers — Ninav, 19; Ameer, 20; and Joel, 20. All four remain accused in the case, and the investigation is continuing.

Source: The Hindu

While rejecting bail on October 17, Judicial First Class Magistrate Samyuktha M.K. observed that the car was allegedly travelling at about 100 km/h on a road where the permissible speed limit was 60 to 70 km/h, and that the combination of excessive speed and alleged intoxication could not, at this stage, be brushed aside as mere ignorance or inadvertence, Bar and Bench reported. The court also noted that the investigation was at an initial stage and that releasing the accused could lead to witnesses being influenced or evidence being tampered with.

Source: Bar and Bench

A borstal school is a custodial institution for young offenders. Awaaz Punjab will update this story as the Nedumbassery case proceeds in court.