Teen driver’s drunk crash kills three in Kochi, faces homicide charges

On the early morning of October 11, a 19-year-old named Suhail was driving a black Mini Cooper at roughly 120 km/h on the Cochin airport road when he collided with a scooter carrying three young workers, killing Devika (21), Gopika (22) and Ijaz (21). A blood test showed Suhail’s alcohol level was at least five times the Indian legal limit of 30 mg per 100 ml. After the crash locals handed him over to police; he and his friend Ninav were placed before a magistrate and sent to the Borstal school in Thrikkakara.

Suhail has been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder and DUI, while Ninav, Ameer and Joel are charged with abetting. CCTV captured the group drinking at three Kochi bars on October 10, prompting an Excise department probe into illegal service to under-23 patrons. Bail applications for all four accused were slated for hearing in Angamaly, with the prosecution opposing release. A protest by the SFI targeted the boutique of Suhail’s mother, Nooha Sajeev, but was stopped by police.