Death during promo shoot: Rights panel registers case; Non-insured car caused accident, says RTO

Kozhikode: The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has registered a case in the death of a youth in a road accident during the shooting of a promotion video of a luxury car on Kozhikode's Beach Road. Vadakara native Alwin (20), who was employed in the UAE, was killed on Tuesday morning when a Mercedes-Benz G-Class knocked him down during the shoot.

The video shoot involved two high-end vehicles: a Mercedes-Benz G-Class with Telangana registration, driven by Sabith Rahman of Manjeri, and a Land Rover Defender, driven by Mohammed Rabees of Edasseri.

The Human Rights Commission has directed the City Police Commissioner to investigate and submit a detailed report within four weeks. The SHRC will review the case during its sitting on January 30 in Kozhikode. The commission noted that shooting videos or reels on public roads poses a threat to lives and sends the wrong message to the public. In its order for a probe, the commission also urged strict action against those who violate traffic rules while filming on roads.

Meanwhile, the Motor Vehicles Department confirmed that the Mercedes-Benz G-Class involved in the accident did not have valid insurance. The vehicle is registered under the name of Ashwin, a Telangana native.

RTO Jithish told Manorama Online that a challan had been issued against the vehicle in April for violating traffic rules. He added that the department may seize the vehicle over tax evasion in Kerala.

Another vehicle seized by the police in connection with the case is the Land Rover Defender, with the number KL10 BK0001. According to the MVD, Malappuram native Sabeer Babu owns this vehicle, and no issues were found with the car's documents.

While initial reports had claimed that the Defender was involved in the accident, CCTV footage confirmed that the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen was the vehicle involved.