Kochi: The Kerala High Court has granted bail to four accused in the Nedumbassery Mini Cooper crash case, which claimed the lives of three young men. Those granted bail include 19-year-old Suhail Sajeev, who allegedly drove the car under the influence of alcohol, and three passengers identified as Joyal, Ninav and Ameen Shah.

However, the court has directed that Suhail Sajeev can be released only after 10 days. The bail order comes amid the ongoing investigation into the fatal accident, with a technical report from BMW India providing crucial evidence about the speed of the vehicle moments before the collision.

According to the technical inspection report, the Mini Cooper was travelling at 162 kmph approximately five seconds before the crash. Its speed had reduced to 144 kmph at the time of impact.

The findings were obtained through an analysis of data retrieved from the vehicle’s Advanced Crash Safety Module (ACSM), adding scientific evidence to the investigation into the accident.

BMW report confirms excessive speed before crash

The BMW India report, submitted to the investigation team on Thursday, confirmed that the Mini Cooper was travelling at an extremely high speed shortly before the accident.

According to investigators, the vehicle was moving at 162 kmph around five seconds before the collision. The speed had dropped to 144 kmph when the car hit the obstruction.

The report also revealed that the brake pedal was pressed only around one second before the accident. Investigators are examining these findings to understand the sequence of events leading to the fatal crash.

The crash data analysis is considered significant because it provides technical information recorded by the vehicle itself, helping investigators establish its speed and braking activity in the moments before the collision.

CCTV footage also indicated high speed

Before receiving the BMW India report, the investigation team had examined CCTV footage from cameras installed along the route taken by the Mini Cooper before the accident.

According to the investigators, the footage showed that the vehicle covered a distance of approximately 500 metres in just 11 seconds. This indicated that the car was travelling at an excessive speed as it approached the accident site.

The CCTV findings and the vehicle’s crash data have now provided two separate sources of evidence regarding the speed at which the Mini Cooper was travelling.

The BMW report has further strengthened the investigation’s findings by providing technical details about the vehicle’s speed at different points immediately before the collision.

Investigators are treating the crash data as crucial evidence in reconstructing the accident and establishing the circumstances that led to the deaths of the three young men.

Four accused granted bail

The Kerala High Court’s decision to grant bail to all four accused comes while the investigation into the Nedumbassery accident continues.

The accused include Suhail Sajeev, 19, who allegedly drove the Mini Cooper under the influence of alcohol, and passengers Joyal, Ninav and Ameen Shah.

However, the court has imposed a specific condition regarding Suhail’s release, directing that he can be released only after 10 days.

The bail order does not conclude the investigation or determine the guilt of the accused. The police investigation continues, with the technical report, CCTV footage and other available evidence expected to play an important role in establishing the sequence of events.

Technical evidence crucial to accident investigation

The BMW India report has emerged as an important development in the case, particularly because it provides recorded information about the vehicle’s speed and braking activity immediately before the crash.

The findings indicate that the Mini Cooper was travelling at 162 kmph approximately five seconds before the collision and at 144 kmph at the moment of impact. The brake pedal was reportedly activated only around one second before the accident.

Together with the CCTV footage showing the vehicle covering 500 metres in 11 seconds, the technical findings are expected to form an important part of the evidence examined by investigators.

The case continues to be closely watched following the High Court’s bail decision and the emergence of the vehicle’s technical inspection report.