Audi Driver Who Allegedly Chased The Vehicle Not Yet Arraigned As Accused: State Submits Before Kerala HC In Car Crash Case That Killed Two Models

The State government informed the Kerala High Court today that Syju M Thankachan, the driver of the Audi car that allegedly chased the vehicle involved in a fatal accident in the city had not yet been arraigned as the accused in the matter.

"Investigation in the case is going on and if any incriminating evidence is unearthed against him, he will have to be made an accused. In case he is made an accused, he will be served with a notice under Section 41A CrPC," it was submitted.

Upon being apprised that the investigation in the case was progressing Justice Shircy V recorded the submission and observed that if the investigation officer requires the presence of the petitioner for interrogation, a notice under 41A  should be issued against him.

The Court was hearing the anticipatory bail filed by Syju, accused of having chased the car involved in an accident that claimed the lives of two models.

The accident occurred in the early hours of November 1 on the Ernakulam bypass and was suspected to be a case of drunk driving.

Former Miss Kerala Ansi Kabeer and Miss Kerala 2019 first runner-up Anjana Shajan were on their way back from Hotel Number 18 when the accident happened.

Their car overturned after having hit a bike, following which the vehicle crashed into a tree. The models died on the spot but the other passengers in the car, Mohammad Aashiq and Abdul Rahman were rushed to the nearest hospital.

Aashiq was brought in critical condition and he later succumbed to his injuries. Later the police booked Rahman, the driver, under Section 304 (Culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of IPC. 

During the investigation, Rahman disclosed that they were being chased by an Audi car driven by the petitioner herein. Syju was also found to have made calls to the hotel soon after witnessing the accident. 

According to the petitioner, however, he had nothing to do with the tragic accident. He approached the Court apprehending that he will be arrested and subjected to third-degree torture.

In his bail plea, he revealed that when he met Abdul Rahman at the hotel, Rahman was heavily drunk. While he was leaving the hotel to his house at Kakkanad, Abdul Rahman and three others sped from the hotel.

The petitioner said that he had advised Rahman not to drive seeing his intoxicated condition. But they did not heed the advice and left the hotel.

Later, the petitioner came to know through print and visual media that Rahman had accused him of chasing the vehicle and thereby lost control of the vehicle and rammed into the motorcycle resulting in the crash.

Case Title: Syju M Thankachan v. State of Kerala