THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opposition leader VD Satheesan slammed the Kerala Police for their inaction after Elathur train fire incident saying that the serious lapse from the police has resulted in the escape of Shahrukh Saifi to Maharashtra.

“It is shocking to know that Shahrukh Saifi, prime accused in the Elathur train fire case escaped on the same train and reached Kannur. The police got adequate details about the suspect from fellow passengers. However, they never searched the Alappuzha-Kannur Express or alerted nearby railway stations. A fool proof search operation on that day would have led to the arrest of the accused”, he said.

He alleged that the callous attitude of the police has paved the way for the accused to cross the Kerala border.

Satheesan also ridiculed the police for taking credit for the arrest of Saifi. “How can Kerala police take credit when Maharashtra ATS nabbed the accused from Ratnagiri. The investigation team brought Saifi to Kerala without adequate security cover and the probe team’s vehicle experienced breakdowns twice en route to Kozhikode. People will laugh at CM Pinarayi Vijayan for lauding the investigation of Kerala police”, he said.