LPG blast in car: Coimbatore police invoke UAPA; NIA likely to take over probe soon

A CCTV footage that emerged on Monday purportedly showed Mubin, along with Riyaz, Nawaz and Firoz, carrying a heavy sack from the former’s residence hours before the LPG blast.

Officer Balakrishnan said they were carrying two LPG cylinders and three drums/cans, knowing well what they were for.

Referring to the other two arrested men, the police said while one of them gave Mubin the Maruti 800 car, which later exploded, the other person helped in coordinating their efforts.

The police are also in the process of examining several others and conducting house searches to find out if there are more persons involved in the case.

The first information report was initially registered under CrPC 174 (unnatural/ suspicious death) and Section 3 (a) of the Explosive Substances Act.

After the initial investigation, the police added sections 120 (B) (Criminal conspiracy) and 153 (a) (Promoting enmity between two groups), besides invoking UAPA.

Why was UAPA invoked?

The UAPA was invoked after the police found that Mubin had stored 75 kilograms of low-intensity explosives, chemicals such as potassium nitrate, aluminum powder, sulphur and charcoal at his residence. Additionally, nails and marbles were found from the gutted car.

The car that exploded, killing Mubin on Sunday, 23 October.

Incidentally, Mubin was questioned by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2019 for his alleged ties with terror accused in different cases.

Senior officials told South First that Mubin was radicalised. No case, however, was registered against him.

Considering the seriousness of the case, the NIA is likely to take over investigation soon, senior officers told South First.

Meanwhile, the police stepped up security across Coimbatore, especially at communally sensitive locations.