Published Oct 22, 2026 | 1:59 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 22, 2026 | 2:17 PM
Gopika's father, Mullankuzhi Pradeep Kumar, has proposed Advocate John S Ralph for the post and submitted a request to the CM and the Home Minister.
The family of Gopika, who was killed in the Nedumbassery Mini Cooper crash, has urged the government to appoint a special public prosecutor to ensure a fair trial.
According to eyewitnesses, the Mini Cooper driven by Suhail Sajeev, a B.Com student at a private college in Kochi, was speeding. Police suspect the vehicle was travelling at over 120 kmph when it crashed into the scooter carrying Gopika and two of her friends. According to the cops, Suhail’s blood test report confirmed that he was heavily intoxicated at the time of the incident.
A case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder has been registered against Suhail under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). His alleged statement after the crash that “my father will take care of everything” had fuelled outrage in Keralam.
Gopika’s family has proposed Advocate John S Ralph for the post and submitted a request to the Chief Minister and the Home Minister.
Gopika’s father, Mullankuzhi Pradeep Kumar, is an autorickshaw driver, while her mother, Sajitha, is a daily-wage worker.
The four accused — Suhail, Ninav, Ameer and Joel — have approached the Ernakulam District and Sessions Court after the Angamaly Judicial First Class Magistrate, Samyuktha MK, dismissed their bail pleas.
Meanwhile, the police are preparing to move a fresh custody petition.
A five-member special investigation team led by Aluva Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Baiju Paulose visited the house of Devika, one of the other victims, at Madakimala in Wayanad and recorded statements from her parents. The officers questioned the family about Devika and heard their concerns, including fears that the investigation could be derailed.
The team is also expected to record statements from the families of Gopika, a native of Palakkad, and Iyas, who hailed from Karnataka, in the coming days.
The government had earlier announced steps to strengthen the investigation and address the concerns of the victims’ families. The Cabinet is also said to be mulling the introduction of a tougher drunk-driving law.
On October 14, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala informed the Assembly that the probe into the accident, which claimed three lives, had been handed over to DySP Baiju Paulose. The minister also said that R Nishanthini, Inspector General of Police, South Zone, would hear the complaints and concerns raised by the victims’ families.
The minister stated that the government was ready to appoint a special public prosecutor and would take steps to ensure the maximum possible punishment for the accused.
According to the FIR registered by the Nedumbassery Airport police, the collision occurred on 11 October at around 1.45 am, when the car crashed into the scooter from behind, throwing all three riders onto the road.
The victims — Iyas, a native of Kodagu in Karnataka; Devika, from Wayanad; and Gopika, from Mannarkkad in Palakkad — suffered fatal head injuries. All three were working at a craft shop in Thrikkakara and were returning to Athani after having tea near the airport when the accident occurred.
(With inputs from Dileep V Kumar. Edited by R Rajesh Kumar.)
