Attempt to set fire inside train, Maharashtra native remanded

KOZHIKODE: Man, handed over to the RPF by the passengers after trying to set fire to the Kannur-Ernakulam Intercity Express, has been remanded. The said person, Sachin Pramod Bakal (20), a native of Maharashtra's Lohara Akola, was remanded for 14 days by the Kozhikode Judicial First Class Magistrate Court. Although the police have confirmed that he is mentally ill, the railway police are taking the incident seriously in the wake of the Elathur and Kannur train fire. An inquiry is underway in Maharashtra about him. The police said that it is not clear from where he boarded the train as no ticket was taken. When they contacted the family in Maharashtra, the information was that he had left the house a few days ago. The family also confirmed that the accused is mentally ill.

An attempt was made to set fire to the Kannur-Ernakulam Intercity Express between Vadakara and Kozhikode at around 4 pm on Monday. The accused, who was in the 5th general coach, tried to burn a plastic sticker pasted inside the train with a lighter. When the passengers saw him, he tried to escape and was caught and handed over to the RPF. After questioning the accused in detail, the police produced him in the court. After the investigation team that went to Maharashtra returns, the accused will be taken into custody and interrogated in detail.