Kochi night check accident: Police release CCTV visuals countering youths’ claims; medical records cite ‘smell of alcohol’

The Kochi City Police on Sunday sought to reinforce their version of events in connection with the road accident that happened during a late-night vehicle inspection at Chellanam, releasing additional CCTV visuals and medical records of the injured youths. The police rejected allegations that officers abandoned the youths at the accident site, forcing them to undertake a risky journey to the hospital on their own, stating that the available evidence contradicts their claims.

The incident happened around 2 am on Thursday when Anil Rajendran and Rahul Sabu, natives of Kommadi in Alappuzha, were returning from Christmas celebrations in Fort Kochi. Police said the two-wheeler they were riding was speeding and failed to stop despite signals from Kannamaly police personnel, resulting in a crash in which Civil Police Officer (CPO) Bijumon was injured.

Following the incident, the youths’ family lodged complaints with the Chief Minister and senior police officials, accusing the police of acting “inhumanely” by taking only the injured officer to the hospital while leaving the youths behind.

One of the central claims made by the youths was that Rahul tied the injured Anil to his body using a T-shirt and belt and rode the damaged two-wheeler nearly 20 km to Chettikkad Government Hospital. However, CCTV visuals released by the police on Sunday from the Rural Health Training Centre at Chettikkad show the two reaching the facility around 2.45 am, with Rahul riding the motorcycle and Anil seated as the pillion rider.

The footage shows Rahul stopping the motorcycle in front of the health centre, after which Anil gets down unaided and walks into the facility on his own. Although Anil appears to have some difficulty walking, he is seen managing without support. The visuals do not show Anil being tied to Rahul with a T-shirt or belt, as claimed. Rahul is later seen riding the motorcycle away from the CCTV frame while Anil enters the health centre alone. The footage also shows Anil wearing a red T-shirt without a helmet, while Rahul is seen in a striped shirt and a helmet. Blood is visible on Anil’s face.

Police also cited inconsistencies in the version given by the youths to hospital authorities. According to medical certificates issued by the health centre, both Anil and Rahul stated that they fell from the motorcycle while trying to avoid a street dog. The medical record relating to Anil also notes the presence of a “smell of alcohol”.

Earlier, the Kochi police had said officers left the scene only to rush their critically injured colleague to the hospital. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Aswathi Jiji defended the police action, stating that the motorcycle was speeding and failed to stop when signalled. “The officer suspected something amiss and attempted to stop the bike. The riders did not comply, and the motorcycle crashed into the officer,” she said, adding that CCTV footage and an audio recording of a scream from the scene indicate the vehicle was travelling at high speed.

However, Rahul then disputed the police account. While admitting that the motorcycle was speeding and that they noticed the police late, he alleged that CPO Bijumon grabbed Anil’s right hand in an attempt to stop the vehicle, causing it to lose balance and topple.

Meanwhile, in a statement, the police said Bijumon, who was on duty as the driver of the police vehicle, was knocked down in the collision and lost consciousness. Officers said Anil and Rahul were asked to get into the police jeep and go to the hospital, but they declined, saying they could manage on their own. As Bijumon was unconscious and critically injured, the Assistant Sub Inspector at the scene immediately drove him to Cortina Hospital in Chellanam and later to Medical Trust Hospital in Kochi.

Anil was later shifted to a private hospital in Ernakulam, where doctors diagnosed a fractured nose and scheduled him for nasal surgery. Bijumon also underwent surgery for a fractured arm. The police have registered a case against the youths.