Kerala crash: Dubai boutique owner requests privacy amid online scrutiny

An Indian designer who owns a boutique in Dubai has requested privacy for her family after her son was involved in a road accident that killed three young people in Kerala, India.

Nooha Sajeev, who runs a boutique in Karama, shared a video on her boutique’s social media accounts, asking people to respect her family’s privacy during this difficult time.

Designer Appeals for Privacy

In the video, Nooha acknowledged the pain suffered by the victims’ families and said that no words could reduce their loss. She also expressed hope that the investigation would continue honestly.

“I am a normal mother, and I request that you avoid spreading rumours about me and my family,” she said, asking people to give her family privacy.

The video received millions of views on Instagram and attracted more than 2,000 comments. By the time the report was published, comments on the post had been restricted.

AI-Generated Accident Videos Spread Online

Nooha’s appeal came amid the circulation of AI-generated videos and images on social media that purported to recreate the accident. The incident has also triggered widespread online discussion about the family.

Three Young People Killed in Kerala Crash

The accident occurred on October 11 in Kerala, southern India, when a Mini Cooper allegedly driven by 19-year-old Suhail Sajeev collided with a scooter carrying three young people.

According to Indian media reports, Suhail’s blood alcohol concentration was found to be far above the legal limit.

The victims were identified as Devika, Gopika and Ijaz, aged between 21 and 22. They were students and coworkers who were returning after having tea when the crash occurred.

According to the First Information Report (FIR) shared by Kerala Police, the impact threw all three victims off the scooter. Two died at the scene, while the third died later in hospital.

Accused Denied Bail

Suhail and three friends who were travelling in the car were arrested following the incident. Suhail has been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder and other offences.

The accused were denied bail on October 17.

Some witnesses reportedly claimed that Suhail said after the crash that his father would take care of everything. The court recorded the reported remark in its judgment while rejecting the bail pleas of Suhail and his co-accused.

Family Faces Strong Online Backlash

Since the accident, Nooha, her boutiques and her family have faced intense scrutiny on social media. An earlier video showing her gifting a green Mini Cooper to her son for his 19th birthday has also resurfaced online.

The social media accounts of her boutique have reportedly lost thousands of followers. Several Indian celebrities and politicians have also publicly criticised the family.

Dubai Boutique Resumes Social Media Posts

On Monday, the Dubai branch of Nooha’s boutique resumed posting promotional videos showcasing its collections.

An employee acknowledged the accident and explained that the team had paused its social media content for more than a week because of the circumstances.

“We were not in the mental state to post videos,” the employee said, while acknowledging the irreversible loss suffered by the victims’ families.

The employee added that the boutique would continue to keep the bereaved families in its thoughts. Meanwhile, comments on all videos posted by the boutique’s Dubai branch have been restricted.