Arson on Kerala train: Police get 11-day custody of suspect; Kerala CM gives compensation to victims’ kin

The 18-member SIT took custody of the accused, who was produced before the court under heavy police protection, for further interrogation.

ByPTI

Published Apr 08, 2023 | 12:02 AMUpdatedApr 08, 2023 | 12:03 AM

Shahrukh Saifi was discharged from the medical college in the city after undergoing treatment for injuries he suffered during an attempt to escape from the moving train.

A court in Kozhikode on Friday, 7 April, granted 11-day police custody of the man who started the fire onboard a train in Kerala that killed three people and left many injured on 2 April.

The Kozhikode First Class Judicial Magistrate granted 11-day custody of the prime suspect, Shahrukh Saifi, who was discharged from the medical college in the city after undergoing treatment for injuries he suffered during an attempt to escape from the moving train.

An 18-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) took custody of the accused, who was produced before the court under heavy police protection, for further interrogation, a senior police official told PTI.

Earlier in the day, the Magistrate reached the hospital and remanded the accused for 14 days in judicial custody.
A medical board, which met today concluded that Saifi’s injuries were not serious and discharged him.

Compensation handed to kin 

Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan visited the bereaved families of the three victims and handed over compensation of ₹5 lakh each.

Investigating officers, including ADGP (Law and Order) MR Ajith Kumar and other senior officials, briefed the chief minister about the progress made in the investigation on Friday.

Addressing the media, Kumar said that the accused was nabbed with the cooperation of various investigating agencies. “This a special case which warranted a combined investigation. The Kerala police and other related agencies worked together to nab the accused. The credit goes to the joint effort taken by Kerala police and other investigating agencies. We are probing all angles in the case,” Kumar said.

Also read: Arson on Kerala train: SIT to probe case; suspect identified

Accused found in Maharashtra

He further said that the investigating agencies had received a tip-off that the accused was in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, and a team of police was dispatched to take him into custody.

“We cooperated with the Maharashtra police team and other investigation agencies to capture him and transport him here. Based on the nature of the case, we need a detailed and comprehensive investigation into this case,” he said.

On the night of 2 April, the suspect set fire to passengers after pouring petrol on them when the train reached Korapuzha bridge near Elathur in Kozhikode. Nine people suffered burn injuries and are undergoing treatment at various hospitals.

Also read: Kerala police hunt for man who started fire in moving train

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