NIA files chargesheet in Kozhikode train arson case

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday filed the chargesheet with Sharukh Saifi as the solo accused in connection with the Kozhikode train arson case.

The chargesheet filed in NIA special court in Kochi, charged Saifi with creating fear in the society through acts of terror. The investigation agency said the accused came to Kerala to execute the terror act as no one would recognize him here.

According to the agency, the youth, a native of Shaheen Bagh Delhi, got attracted to Jihadi ideology through social media. He used to watch speeches of Pakistan-based extremist elements and, in the process, got completely radicalized.

Three passengers including a child were killed and nine others were injured in the train arson incident which took place on April 2. The 30-year-old youth set the D1 coach of Alappuzha Kannur Executive Express on fire when the train approached Korapuzha bridge near Elathur in Kozhikode.

The three people died trying to flee from the assailant and their bodies were found near the railway track in the wee hours of April 2.

During the investigation, it was found that Saifi had bought petrol in a can from a petrol pump and a lighter from Shoranur before entering the train. After pouring the petrol, he set the coach on fire and managed to get down at a local station and escape.

Saifi was arrested by the Maharashtra police's Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) two days later from Ratnagiri. The Kerala police had also constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) which slapped murder charges against the accused.

Earlier the NIA had submitted a report to the Union home ministry stating that Saifi's decision to choose Kerala for the terror attack smacked of a deep-rooted conspiracy.  Moreover, the nature of the attack indicated that it was a terror strike and his links with terror outfits cannot be ruled out.

Though the Kerala police probed the incident initially, later the investigation was taken over by the NIA given the suspected terror angle. It was believed Saifi set the coach on fire to kill all passengers.