Police Arrest Trio in Kozhikode After Violent Kochi Road Rage Incident
Three men, including two repeat offenders, have been apprehended for a brutal assault that left a Kochi resident in critical condition. The attack followed a late-night traffic dispute near the NGO Quarters Junction.
Nighttime Confrontation Leads to Critical Injuries
A violent encounter near the NGO Quarters Junction in Kakkanad during the early hours of Sunday resulted in the hospitalization of three youths. The incident occurred around 2 a.m. as Praveen Kumar, Mohammad Shafi, and Nizam—all residents of Vazhakkala—traveled home from a function on two motorcycles. A dispute erupted when they allegedly did not yield the road to a car carrying the suspects.
The verbal exchange rapidly intensified into a physical attack. Praveen Kumar sustained a skull fracture and an internal brain hemorrhage, necessitating emergency neurosurgery. While Kumar remains in critical condition after being moved to a specialized facility, his companions are receiving care at the Government Medical College Hospital in Kalamassery.
Suspects Apprehended in Kozhikode Hideout
Thrikkakara police tracked the suspects to a hideout in Kozhikode following the assault. The arrested individuals are:
- Shafin P.J. (30) of Kalamassery
- Vibeesh M. (26) of Chevary, Kozhikode
- Fahad Nadakkal (31) of Aluva
Law enforcement officials identified Shafin and Vibeesh as habitual offenders with prior criminal records involving similar violent acts. Investigators also suspect the trio has connections to a known criminal operative based in Perumbavoor.
Charges and Civil Unrest at Police Station
The authorities have invoked several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including charges of attempted murder, wrongful restraint, and voluntarily causing grievous hurt with dangerous weapons.
As the investigation progressed, volatility shifted to the Thrikkakara police station. Friends of the injured victims attempted to obstruct officers as they were transporting the accused for evidence collection at the crime scene. During the chaos, bystanders smashed the window panes of the suspects' vehicle with stones, forcing police to mobilize significant effort to restore order and manage the crowd.
Source: The Hindu — National
