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NIA begins preliminary probe into Kozhikode train fire

The Central agency is also investigating the terror angle in the case.

Statesman News Service | Thiruvananthapuram | April 4, 2023 6:02 pm

NIA begins preliminary probe into Kozhikode train fire

Visuals from the Kozhikode train (ANI)

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has conducted a preliminary investigation into an incident where an unidentified person poured inflammable oil on co-passengers before setting them afire inside Alappuzha-Kannur Express in Kerala.

The incident occurred on Sunday night in the D-1 coach of the train when the train left Kozhikode railway station in Kerala.

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A NIA team from Kochi and Bengaluru units reached Kannur in the morning and inspected the train bogies in which the incident happened. Railway Security Force South Zone IG Ishwara Rao also inspected the bogies.

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The NIA is examining if anti national elements are involved in the crime. The Central agency is also investigating the terror angle in the case. Reports suggest that the NIA may take over the investigation into the incident that caused three deaths while injuring nine people.

The Kerala Police are learnt to have identified the accused as Mohammad Shahrukh Saifi, a native of Noida. The police had released a sketch of the man suspected to have set his co-passengers on fire aboard in the Alappuzha-Kannur Express train

Saifi is said to have jumped off the train when it slowed down at Elathur and fled after the incident. He is still absconding and the police say he travelled from Kannur to Mangalore and then to Delhi after committing the crime.

Meanwhile, a team of the Railway Police travelled to Noida in Uttar Pradesh after receiving information about the suspect. There were also reports that the UP Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) took two suspects into custody and later released them.

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The Kerala High Court, on Thursday, granted bail to M K Nasar, one of the individuals convicted by the special NIA court last year in the case of chopping the hands of Professor T J Joseph in 2010. A division bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan and Justice P V Balakrishnan suspended Nasar’s sentence and granted conditional bail to him after considering his appeal against the NIA court’s conviction in the case Considering the prolonged detention and citing the potential for trial delays, the court suspended Nasar’s sentence and granted conditional bail, taking into account that some co-accused with similar allegations had already been released after serving shorter terms. The court noted that he had already spent nine years in jail and that delays in resolving appeals could justify suspending a convict’s prison term. It also observed that other accused in the case had received lesser sentences and had already been released after serving their terms. “The applicant has been undergoing incarceration, at the pre-conviction and post-conviction phases, for over 9 years. Furthermore, the fact that the accused facing the same allegations were earlier imposed a lesser term of imprisonment and have been released after having undergone the sentence is a factor that cannot be ignored. Additionally, the appeals filed by the NIA against the findings of the learned Sessions Judge are being considered in separate appeals, which have not yet been taken up. “There is also the likelihood of delay, as the prime accused has surrendered, and the learned Sessions Judge may have to take up the trial and dispose of it in accordance with the law and some of the original records may be required for that purpose. In view of these facts and circumstances, we are of the considered opinion that the sentence imposed on the applicant can be suspended pending the consideration of the appeal.” The court said The court, however, imposed strict conditions for Nasar’s bail. He is not supposed to provide a bond of Rs 1 lakh with two sureties, refrain from leaving the country without the court’s permission, avoid interfering with the trial or witnesses, and not commit similar offences while on bail The gruesome incident dates back to July 4, 2010, when Joseph, a professor at Newman College, Thodupuzha, was returning from Sunday mass with his family, members of the now-banned Popular Front of India (PFI) attacked him, allegedly in retaliation for a question paper he set, which contained a passage that they claimed insulted Prophet Mohammed was derogatory. His right hand was chopped off in this attack. Nasar was accused of playing a critical role in the attack. Investigations revealed his involvement in recruiting gang members, assigning specific tasks, collecting funds, procuring communication devices, and maintaining communication links with key conspirators.

The Kerala High Court, on Thursday, granted bail to M K Nasar, one of the individuals convicted by the special NIA court last year in the case of chopping the hands of Professor T J Joseph in 2010.