UAPA, murder charges stare at prime accused in Kerala train arson case

The main suspect in the Kerala train fire arson is likely to be charged for murder and under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The main accused, Sharukh Saifi has been remanded in police custody until April 28 and is likely to be charged with murder soon as the probe agencies have found his hand in the death of three people. Saifi is currently in hospital for injuries that he sustained, but will be discharged soon as the medical board has found him to be healthy enough. Following his discharge, he will be transferred to a district jail.

The board concluded that he had only one per cent burn injuries and the other wounds on his bodies were because he jumped off the train. There was also confirmation that there were no problems with his vision, the board said while recommending his release from hospital and transfer to a jail.

Given the gravity of the crime, the stringent provisions of the UAPA may be invoked against him. Although the motive behind the attack is not clear as yet, the invoking of UAPA makes it clear that the police will treat this as a case of terror.

Saifi was nabbed in a joint operation by the Central Intelligence and Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad.

Saifi is accused of starting a fire aboard the Alappuzha-Kannur Executive Express, to Kozhikode last week.

Following his arrest, he was shifted to hospital where he was diagnosed with jaundice and liver-related problems.

The Kerala police registered the case on the basis of a complaint lodged by an injured passenger who was present in the train at the time of the incident. The preliminary probe has revealed that the accused had knowingly poured petrol on the passengers in the running train. This revealed that he had boarded the train with a specific intention of carrying out an attack. Since he had used explosive material, the advice given to the police was to file a case under the UAPA.

During the course of the interrogation, Saifi has remained elusive and has even given contradictory statements. He has not given any definitive reply as to why he had carried out the attack. He remained elusive when asked if he was asked or motivated by anyone to carry out the attack. He even said that he had never visited Kerala before and he had come to the state in search of a job. He also did not tell the police the name of the place from where he had sourced the petrol.