Suspect in Kerala train fire incident that claimed 3 lives, held in Ratnagiri

The man suspected of starting a fire onboard a train in Kerala, which claimed three, was apprehended from Ratnagiri in Maharashtra by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).  He would be brought to the southern state soon, Kerala Police Chief Anil Kant informed on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters in the Kerala state capital, Kant informed that the name of the suspect is   Shahrukh Saifi. He further added that the suspect could be apprehended due to the combined efforts of the SIT formed here, central agencies, and Maharashtra police.

"The suspect has been taken into custody. Right now he is in Ratnagiri. The process is on to bring him here. He will be brought here as soon as possible," the State Police Chief said.

He also informed that the suspect would be interrogated now to figure out the motive behind the attack would be known only after the suspect was interrogated.

“A team of police officials from Kerala has reached Ratnagiri and the suspect will be handed over to them for further probe into the incident,” the State Police Chief informed the media on Wednesday.

The accused was caught by the police while he was trying to escape from the hospital. According to reports, the suspect has burn injuries on his face. As per the police officials, the suspect is from Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh and he allegedly left home on Friday (March 31). Police teams on Wednesday visited Saifi’s house to question his family.

On Sunday night, an unidentified man set fire to passengers after pouring petrol on them when the train reached Korapuzha bridge near Elathur. Nine people suffered burn injuries and are undergoing treatment at various hospitals. The bodies of a woman, an infant, and a man, who went missing from the train after the fire, were recovered from the tracks near the Elathur railway station. Police believe they fell off the train or attempted to get down after seeing the fire. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Kerala police was subsequently formed and it intensified its probe into the incident. According to police, the incident was probably pre-planned as he was carrying petrol in a bottle in his bag.

(With inputs from PTI)

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