Elathur train fire indicates terror activity, states NIA

KOCHI: The NIA has informed in the court that the evidence collected so far in Elathur train fire case points to terror activity. This was stated in the remand report of the accused Shahrukh Saifi, submitted in the court.

A sample of the accused's handwriting and fingerprints have been collected for scientific examination. The investigation into the case has just started. The report submitted by Inspector MJ Abhilash says that a detailed investigation is needed to find out the purpose of the terror activity. The NIA also stated that if the accused is granted bail, he may go absconding.

The report also said that if the accused gets out, he may continue to do harm to people's lives and property. Then Shahrukh was remanded to Viyyur high-security jail. The court allowed the accused to be interrogated in custody from May 2 to 8 by the NIA.

NIA about the event

On April 2, the accused bought petrol in a two-litre plastic bottle from a pump near Shoranur railway station. He also bought a cigarette lighter from a shop called Vismaya Lotteries. Then reached Shoranur station and waited for the train. He boarded the train from Shoranur at 7.15 pm. When the train reached Elathur station in Kozhikode district around 11.24 pm, he took a bottle of petrol and poured it on the D1 coach and on the passengers and set it on fire. Three passengers died as a result of the incident.