KOZHIKODE: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Elathur train fire case will decide on taking Shahrukh Saifi, the key accused for evidence collection after his medical examination. A medical team from Kozhikode Medical College Hospital has reached the Armed Reserve camp in Maloorkunnu to examine Saifi, who is being interrogated for the last few days.

The police suspect that Saifi got assistance from someone inside the Alappuzha-Kannur Executive Express train and his aide might have pulled the emergency chain after the fire in the D1 compartment. Moreover, the food found in the bag of Saifi was not stale. The probe team is of the view that someone had prepared the food for him.

According to SIT, Saifi spent more than 15 hours in Shoranur. Although Saifi claimed that he did the crime himself, police have not ruled out the involvement of an aide.

Considering the nature of the crime, there is also a likelihood of National Investigation Agency (NIA) taking over the probe. State DGP Anil Kant will hold talks with CM Pinarayi Vijayan in this regard.