In Kerala train fire case, inter-state links under scanner of NIA

The brief for the National Investigation Agency (NIA) would be to probe the inter-state links into the Kerala train fire case.

The agency which is now in charge of the probe would look into the extensive conspiracy and also the possibility of whether the case is inter-state linked, sources tell OneIndia.

It has been learnt that the prime accused, Shahrukh Saifi, a resident of Shaheen Bagh in Delhi was purposely sent to Kerala to undertake the incident, in which three persons lost their lives, while nine were injured. Evidence gathered shows that he had not acted alone. He had a set of handlers who had instructed him to go to Kerala and carry out the attack, the source cited above also said.

The probe has also found that Saifi was highly radicalised and the speeches of radical Islamic preacher, Zakir Naik had been retrieved from his phone. While at first it was unclear what the motive may have been, the investigations now show that a team of handlers had realised that he was highly radicalised and could be used for an attack of this nature.

However it is now becoming clear that Saifi was not only tasked with the Kerala train attack, but his brief was to carry out a series of such incidents, across the country.

With the NIA taking over the probe, the agency will probe the inter-state links. The agency has the powers unlike the Kerala police to probe a case in many states. It is without doubt that Saifi was tasked by elements outside Kerala to carry out this attack. His links to a local radical group is also under the scanner another official confirmed.

On April 2, Saifi sprinkled petrol and set co-passengers of a train compartment on fire after the Alappuzha-Kannur Inter-City Express train left Kozhikode station at 9.30 pm. Due to the commotion, some passengers jumped out of the train as a result of which they lost their lives. The dead included a child.

Saifi was apprehended on April 5 in Maharashtra's Ratnagiri district by the Anti-Terror Squad, with the help of inputs from the Kerala police and Central Intelligence agencies. He was later on taken to Kerala for investigation.