Two more passengers arrested after fatal crash near Kochi

Nedumbassery police arrested two more students on October 12 in a crash investigation involving three deaths. Kerala's Excise Department also registered cases against three bars.

The newly arrested men are Ameer and Joel, both 20 and from Alappuzha. Police say they were travelling in the car allegedly driven by 19-year-old Suhail Sajeev. Sajeev and another passenger, 19-year-old Ninav, were arrested on Sunday.

The three passengers are accused of abetting the offence by allowing Sajeev to drive after drinking. Police have collected CCTV footage and bar bills. Laboratory results to establish whether the driver was intoxicated remain pending.

Cases over alleged sales to customers below the legal age were registered against licence holders and managers at Daya, Monsoon Empress and Courtyard by Marriott. Kerala prohibits alcohol sales to people under 23. The department is also investigating compliance with bar licence conditions.

Ernakulam deputy excise commissioner P. K. Satheesh said a detailed investigation was underway. The Hindu reported that the bars' licences could be suspended if violations are established. A separate process to suspend Sajeev's driving licence has reportedly begun.

The collision occurred early on October 11, when the car hit a scooter near Nedumbassery. The latest arrests bring the number of suspects to four, without establishing their guilt.