Kerala: Police Arrest Man Who Set Train On Fire From Ratnagiri
The Maharashtra ATS and Ratnagiri police arrested the Kerala train arson accused from Ratnagiri railway station on 4th April 2023.
ISH News had released a video about an unidentified man who had entered a Kannur-bound train, sprayed an inflammable liquid on passengers and set them on fire, leaving three people, who tried to escape by jumping off the train, dead. While the accused managed to escape, police had recovered a bag, a few writings and a phone. (https://youtu.be/uVTHbaMYyEI )
Now in an update in this case, The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and Ratnagiri police, in coordination with central intelligence agencies, detained the Kerala train arson accused from Ratnagiri railway station late on 4th April 2023 night.
Officers identified him as 27-year-old Shahrukh Saifi, a resident of Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh and a carpenter by profession. He was found sleeping at the station, from where he was going to head home or planned to escape to Gujarat. But was foiled as the burn injuries on his face aggravated and Saifi was forced to get down at a station in Maharashtra. He got arrested at around 11.30 pm. He has been handed over to a Kerala police team. After the incident, Saifi allegedly travelled from Kerala to Maharashtra in a Kerala-Ajmer train. He got off at Kalambani Railway Station in Ratnagiri, went to the village area and, with the help of locals, reached the local PHC (public health centre). Doctors there referred him to the Ratnagiri district hospital. Here he was admitted for treatment. After primary treatment, he allegedly escaped from the hospital fearing he would be nabbed. He was behaving rudely with the doctors. Doctors administered injections to keep him calm. Since he had suffered head injuries, doctors had sent him for a CT scan, but he escaped. Saifi said that he jumped from the moving train, thinking the police were on his trail. At the railway station, he had covered his face with newspaper.
The probe had initially led investigators to another Shahrukh Saifi — also a carpenter. A resident of Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr. He was picked up by the UP ATS. However, his questioning revealed this was a false lead, and he was let off the following morning.
At the home of the Shahrukh Saifi who has now been arrested, the family was in disbelief. They said that he left home on 31st March 2023. His father Fakruddin said his son left home saying he was going to work, but didn’t return. The family tried calling him but his phone was switched off. They lodged a missing person report on 2nd April 2023. His parents said they don’t know anything about the case. Fakruddin who runs a small shop said, “There’s no way he reached Kerala and killed people; our son would never do that. He left home to find work, he just wished to support the family. He had limited friends and is an introvert. He has no criminal record; how could he set the train on fire? The police came and showed us Shahrukh’s photos, his clothes and a few belongings. I confirmed those were his,” The family claims he has never been part of any organization or political party.
Officers in Kerala, meanwhile, said the motive will become clearer after sustained questioning. A PAN card, an Aadhaar card, a mobile phone and an ATM card have been recovered from his possession.
