Kerala Train Arson Case – Police Finally Imposes UAPA Against Shahrukh Saifi

Kochi. The investigation team probing the Elathur train arson case has charged the accused, Shahrooq Saifi, with the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The SIT of Kerala police on Sunday invoked the UAPA against Shahrooq Saifi, the sole accused in the Kannur express train arson case. A report in this regard will be submitted to the Magistrate Court.

The latest charge enables the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to take over the case. The NIA submitted a report to the Union home ministry last week, saying “it was a clear case of terror” and a thorough investigation was needed to unearth conspiracy and involvement of mentors and handlers of the accused, according to reports.

The accused was earlier charged with murder and taken to various places as part of evidence collection. He was identified by two passengers during an identification parade. It was difficult for Saifi to carry out such an attack on his own and several clues clearly showed involvement of others.

The Alappuzha-Kannur Executive Express train was set on fire at Elathur in Kozhikode on Sunday night, April 2. The incident resulted in the death of three people who jumped out of the train during the fire. Eight passengers were also burnt. The accused, Shahrooq Saifi, was arrested by the police from Ratnagiri in Maharashtra within days after the incident.