Elathur Train Fire suspect Shahrukh Saifi, now in Kozhikode Medical College, has been remanded for 20 days, he will be in judicial custody until April 28, 2023. Since the medical board, who examined him, found that he does not suffer from any serious disease, his discharge from the hospital is a matter of time.
Earlier, there were reports that he suffered from a liver ailment. Then, it was reported that it could be either due to jaundice or zoonosis (often referred to as rat fever) or to the consumption of some poison.
There are reports that a warrant has been issued for Saifi’s remand and to take him to jail. And, there are chances for producing him once again before a magistrate. His injuries are four days old. He has undergone medical and forensic examinations.
Investigation procedures are quite secret. Therefore, investigation agencies do not communicate to the media about the development. Now, they have the crucial target of discovering why Saifi went for this sinister action and who else was with or behind him. None should escape. Hence officials keep confidentiality.
This aspect denotes the terror angle of Saifi’s fire attack. There is every chance police may go ahead with a custody application so that they can go for further interrogation and take him to the compartments where he poured petrol and set fire to the passengers.
There are reports that Saifi changed his stand or statements during the interrogation in Kozhikode, Kerala. His statement before the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), is reported to be different from what he said to the agencies in Kerala. It is basically regarding his travel to Kerala. He told Maharashtra ATS that he was in touch with someone, a role model for him. But, he denied it in Kerala. Now, it looks like the investigation agencies suspect the presence of an ‘external agency’ in helping him to execute the train fire.
His parents told the agencies that he had never gone out of his home town, Shaheen bagh, before. But, it is highly unlikely. If it was his maiden visit to Kerala, it would have been challenging for him to flee the state after the operation.
The latest report suggests that he would be discharged from the hospital and taken to jail at any moment.
Railway police has slapped murder charge on Elathur Train Fire suspect Shehrooq Saifi under IPC 302. It is in the FIR prepared by the Railway Police in connection with the rude action of pouring petrol and setting fire to the passengers on March 2 night in the running train. The news of slapping the murder charge came out hard on the heels of the news that Saifi is remanded or 20 days.
Now, the investigation is being carried out regarding the involvement of more people in the conspiracy and execution of the Elathur Train Fire operation.
