Two officers of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) have been charged with murder after they allegedly drove with a youngster clutching the bonnet of their car for over a kilometre before he was thrown off by a sudden braking and then fatally knocked down by the vehicle in a suspected case of road rage at Nayathodu near Kochi airport on Wednesday (May 14, 2025) around 10 p.m.
The accused are CISF inspector Vinay Kumar Das, 28, and constable Mohan Kumar, 31, both residents of Bihar and posted at Kochi airport. The victim was identified as Ivin Jijo, 25, of Thuravoor near Angamaly. He was a chef with a flight catering service and was on his way to report for his night shift.
“We have the two accused under surveillance and are collecting further evidence. We are verifying eyewitness accounts, CCTV footage, as well as a video shot by the victim. A first information report (FIR) has been registered. Whether the accused were under the influence of alcohol remains to be verified,” said District Police Chief (Ernakulam Rural) M. Hemalatha shortly after visiting the accident site.
Vinay Kumar, who was injured, remains admitted to the hospital, while Mohan Kumar remains in police custody. Formalities are under way to record their arrests.
According to the FIR, the cars of the victim and the accused brushed against each other while travelling along a narrow road, triggering a verbal duel over who was at fault.
Ivin got down from his car and engaged in a heated argument with the CISF officials. “It is said that he started recording a video of the CISF officials, which was probably when they moved the vehicle forward, leaving Ivin hanging on to the bonnet of their car,” said T.Y. Alias, Opposition leader in the Angamaly municipality, who rushed to the scene soon after the incident and accompanied the ambulance carrying Ivin to the hospital. Ivin was badly injured and was not in a condition to be taken in a police vehicle.
“The accused sped away in their vehicle with the victim on its bonnet for about a kilometre before suddenly applying the brakes. When the victim fell off, they knocked him with the car with the intention to kill,” said the FIR.
The police found Vinay Kumar, who was driving the car, next to the badly injured Ivin, while Mohan Kumar reportedly fled the scene. Vinay Kumar was allegedly beaten by people at the scene. Mr. Alias said that Vinay Kumar probably pretended to be hurt to avoid further assault by the crowd. A group of CISF officials also rushed to the spot but soon left, possibly realising that their men were at fault, he added.
Meanwhile, the CISF suspended both the accused from service and ordered an inquiry by a senior officer. “We are fully cooperating with the Kerala Police to ensure prompt action. Strict disciplinary measures will be taken against the accused based on the inquiry findings,” said a statement issued by the CISF here.
Published – May 15, 2025 07:37 pm IST
