Police investigating the Nedumbassery crash that killed three youngsters have submitted an audio clip, CCTV footage and other digital evidence in court while opposing the bail applications of four accused. The Ernakulam additional district court heard arguments on Monday and posted the matter for October 28.
The case concerns a car crash in which three teenagers were killed. Suhail Sajeev, who police allege was driving under the influence of alcohol, and his three co-passengers—Ninav, Ameen Sha and Joyal S—are accused. All four are 19 years old, according to the police account reported by The Times of India.
The audio clip was allegedly sent by Joyal to one of his friends after the crash. Police sources told the newspaper that Joyal can be heard saying that Suhail was heavily drunk and driving at a very high speed when the vehicle struck the three youngsters. The clip also allegedly records Joyal saying that he called his father immediately after the incident.
Police submitted the audio recording as part of digital evidence to oppose the bail pleas. The prosecution’s position will now be considered alongside the defence submissions when the court takes up the case again on October 28. An Angamaly magistrate court had earlier rejected the bail applications of all four accused on October 17.
The investigation has also focused on the vehicle’s speed before the collision. Police had earlier obtained mobile-phone footage showing Suhail driving shortly before the crash. According to the report, the footage shows the speedometer moving from more than 140kmph to nearly 160kmph, with the recording made by a friend travelling in the car.
CCTV footage from multiple cameras has reportedly been secured as well. Police said the footage shows the vehicle covering a distance of about 500 metres in 11 seconds shortly before the crash. Investigators have also traced an eyewitness, an online cab driver who was parked near the accident site and checking his mobile phone, after examining CCTV footage.
The case highlights the role of digital evidence in reconstructing serious road crashes, including footage from inside vehicles, surveillance-camera records and audio shared after an incident. In this matter, investigators are continuing to trace additional witnesses while the court considers the evidence submitted against the four accused. The next hearing is scheduled for October 28.
