Shahrukh Saifi, 24, accused in the Kozhikode train arson case, has been sent to judicial custody for 14 days. He was produced before Munsif Magistrate SV Maneesh, who rushed to the Medical College Hospital to complete judicial proceedings considering the health condition of the suspect, who was diagnosed with jaundice and liver inflammation.
Police sources said the suspect, who will remain in judicial custody till April 20, will be shifted to the Kozhikode district jail after his health condition is reviewed by a medical board. Citing the latest medical examination report, he said that Saifi suffered first degree burns only in less than one per cent. Other physical injuries and inflammation of the liver after a suspected fall from the train while fleeing Gujarat were not found serious and he was found fit for early discharge, he said.
Senior police officers headed by the Special Investigation Team visited the Medical College Hospital on Friday to review the security arrangements at the special cell allotted for the suspect’s treatment. Following directions from the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA), a tight vigil was kept on the entire area. Till the discharge of the accused, people coming and going to the Medical College Hospital and people standing around will also be under surveillance.
While no sections under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention Act) have been invoked against the suspect so far, police sources confirmed that it is more likely to be invoked. After getting further clearance from the medical board, an application for his custody will be filed by the police for the second round of questioning. Kerala ATS, NIA are also monitoring the developments.
The suspect, who was taken into custody by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad on Thursday, was brought to Kozhikode. In view of his unwellness, he was admitted to the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital after preliminary questioning. According to the Special Investigation Team, Shahrukh Saifi, a resident of Shaheen Bagh in New Delhi, was involved in a pre-planned attack on the Alappuzha-Kannur Executive Express on April 2 by dousing passengers with petrol and setting it on fire. Nine suffered serious burns in the incident. Three others, who allegedly jumped from the train to escape the fire, were found dead on the railway track.