PALAKKAD: The investigating team has received indications that accused Shahrukh Saifi in the Elathur train arson case has received local help in Shornur. The investigation was intensified focusing on Shornur and Pattambi regions. NIA is also camping in Shornur. Inspection was conducted yesterday also at the petrol pump in Shornur where the accused had bought petrol from. The Special Branch officials sought information from the employees and the manager. It is indicated that they have arrived for a security check prior to the collection of evidence.

Shah Rukh reached Kerala at 4:30 AM on Sunday and boarded the Kannur-Alappuzha Executive Express at 7:17 PM. The accused spent 15 hours in Shornur. From the auto stand near the railway station, he took an auto to the petrol pump at Kolangerikulam which is one kilometer away, and bought 4 liters of petrol. There are indications that he went to many places and met with many people in between. Based on the finding that he had reached Karakodu Colony in Ongallur, the SIT had conducted an inspection in four houses there the other day. The colony near the petrol pump was also inspected. The homemade food in Shahrukh's bag from the railway tracks was not stale. It is indicated that someone from there prepared it.

Phones switched off

It is indicated that all the numbers called by Shahrukh Saifi in Kerala have been switched off. The investigation team is trying to find the place where petrol was transferred from the liquid container into the bottles. The tower location and route of the accused are also being investigated with a focus on vacant buildings and places. It was the driver of the auto in which the accused was traveling that informed the investigation team that Shahrukh had bought 4 liters of petrol from the Pretol pump. Rajesh, a native of Shornur, shared the information with his friend and he informed the investigation team.