Case of accident while offloading car turns legally complicated
The deceased was identified as Roshan Antony Xavier, 36, of Pandikudi in Mattancherry. Anshad, who was engaged to offload the vehicles from the trailer, was booked by the Palarivattom police for causing death by negligence and endangering life or personal safety through rash or negligent behaviour. The deceased, standing on the ramp of the trailer, was knocked by the vehicle, which was being driven out in reverse. The car also knocked down a few electric posts in the area before coming to a halt.
The Motor Vehicles department (MVD) along with the city police on Thursday (June 26, 2025) conducted a test whereby the car involved in the accident was driven by an authorised driver of the dealer concerned to rule out machine defect. In fact, it was found that if repaired, it could be made road fit. Later, the accused in the case, who was summoned, could not satisfactorily explain the functionalities of the same model vehicle, substantiating the police charge of rash and negligent driving.
'The vehicle entailed only a marine cargo insurance, which is valid only till it is offloaded. Besides, a vehicle on the road should be covered by a trade certificate, temporary registration or permanent registration. The vehicle involved in the accident had none of these, making it a very legally complicated case,' said MVD sources.
The vehicle only has Form 22, which is referred to as the vehicle's 'birth certificate.' It is only once the vehicle is inspected on being offloaded and an inspection certificate is drawn up does the vehicle gets added to the database of the manufacturing company. In this case, the accident took place even before the vehicle could be inspected. As things stand, the MVD has only initiated measures to suspend the driving licence of the accused.
'This is a very complicated case, and we need to explore how to take this forward. A report will be given to the police shortly,' said MVD sources.
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