Kerala: Shahrukh Saifi Who Is Suspected To Have Set People On Fire In Train Brought To Kozhikode After Arrest By Maharashtra ATS In Ratnagiri

Shahrukh Saifi, who has been accused of setting passengers of a train on fire using an inflammable liquid has been brought to Kozhikode today (6 April) for questioning by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Kerala police.

He was arrested by the Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Tuesday (4 April) in Ratnagiri.

The incident occurred around 9.45 pm on Sunday (26 March), when the train reached the Korapuzha railway bridge after crossing Kozhikode city.

Initially, it was believed that the incident was an outcome of an altercation between the accused, Saifi and another passenger.

Subsequently, police and a passenger present in the compartment said that Saifi did not have any altercation with anyone. One of the injured passengers, who suffered minor burns, told a TV channel that the man suddenly came without a word or sound and sprayed petrol on several persons and set fire to them.

The accused, Saifi, poured an inflammable liquid, believed to be petrol, on the passengers and set them on fire resulting in burn injuries to nine persons, police said.

Three persons— a woman, her infant niece and a man, whose bodies were discovered on the rail tracks are believed to have jumped off the train to save themselves.

(With inputs from PTI)