K. M. Mani Jr., the son of Jose K. Mani, a Rajya Sabha MP and chairman of the Kerala Congress (M), has been arrested by the Manimala police in connection with the recent road accident that resulted in the deaths of two siblings in Kerala. Later, he was released on bail, reported news agency PTI.
The accident, which occurred on the Muvattupuzha-Punalur street close to Manimala on the Easter eve, killed two people, recognised as Mathew John pseudonym Jiss and his sibling Jins John. According to preliminary reports, the motorcycle the two were riding rammed the vehicle from behind when it applied sudden brakes.
The police said that the accident happened on Saturday evening on the Manimala-Muvattupuzha road when the two brothers' scooter hit the car from behind after its driver allegedly applied a sudden brake.
Mathew John, who is 35 years old, and his brother Jins John, who is 30, were rushed to a hospital nearby but were unable to be saved.
On Sunday evening, K M Mani, the son of the party leader, appeared in front of the police in Manimala amid protests by locals who alleged that the police were attempting to shield him from the case. The police set him free on bail.
The proprietor of the vehicle was recognised as one Xavier Mathew, hailing from Pala, police said.
According to official sources, Mani Jr., who was driving at the time of the accident, has been charged with reckless and negligent driving under IPC section 279. After the deaths, the charge against him was raised to IPC 304.
A verification of the vehicle's enrollment reports, in the mean time, proposed that the vehicle was claimed by one Xavier Mathew, a native of Pala.
Also Read: 'Limited To Being A Troll': Scindia Hits Back At Rahul Gandhi For Linking Him With Adani Row