NIA to take over Kerala train arson case; Report

The accused Shahrukh Saifi was slapped with the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) by the Kerala police.

New Delhi: According to the latest development, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will soon take over Kerala's train arson case. 

The accused Shahrukh Saifi was slapped with the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) by the Kerala police, days after the incident. Meanwhile, the investigation team from Kerala which reached Delhi has returned reportedly with evidence. 

Kerala Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) M R Ajith Kumar on Monday informed that Shahrukh Saifi, the accused in the train arson case, is a radicalized extremist. Saifi has been determined to be the perpetrator of the crime. The ADGP also said that Shahrukh Saifi watched the videos of controversial

Islamic preachers Zakir Nail, Israr Ahmed and others.  He claimed that the accused arrived in Kerala with the intention of committing violence.

The accused, according to the ADGP, is 27 years old and attended the National Open School up through Class 12. He further indicated that it is being looked into if the accused received assistance.

Shahrukh Saifi was earlier charged with IPC 302 (murder), following the death of three people, IPC 307 (Attempt to murder), IPC 326 A, IPC 436, and Indian Railway Property (Unlawful Possession) Act section 151.

According to the preliminary report of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Shahrukh's contacts in Delhi and Noida has to be investigated to check for any links with radical outfits. The NIA assessment also suggests further investigation is necessary as it appears that the attack was premeditated after closer inspection.

The accused who entered the D1 coach of the Alappuzha-Kannur Executive Express train, set fire to some passengers leading to the death of three persons, including a two-year-old child, on the night of April 2 in Elattur near Kozhikode. Nine people suffered burn injuries in the appalling incident. Following an intelligence input, the accused was arrested within four days of the attack from a hospital in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra.