The Kozhikode Principal Sessions Court on Thursday (December 19, 2024) refused to entertain the anticipatory bail application moved by C. Shajeel, the suspect in the hit-and-run case at Vadakara in Kozhikode district.
Writing the order, Judge V.S. Bindhukumari rejected the anticipatory bail on three grounds: the suspect fleeing the scene without stopping his car after the accident, destroying evidence, and then forging documents to claim insurance for his vehicle.
The accident occurred on February 17, killing a 68-year-old woman, Baby, from Thalassery, on the spot. Her grandchild, Drishana, who sustained severe injuries, was in a coma at the Government Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode, for several months. They were crossing the road when the car hit them at around 10 p.m.
The 36-year-old suspect, who fled, went to Dubai on March 14. A special investigation team (SIT) attached to the Kozhikode Rural police identified the vehicle and the driver after a 10-month-long investigation.
Crime Branch Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) V.V. Benny, who led the probe, said that a Look Out Notice had already been issued against Shajeel and steps had been taken for his repatriation from Dubai to India.
Initially, he was charged under Section 304A (causing death by negligence or a rash act not amounting to culpable homicide) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Later, the Nadapuram police added an additional offence of 463 (forgery) of the IPC against him for securing a fraudulent insurance claim, Mr. Benny said.
Published – December 19, 2024 02:24 pm IST
