Kozhikode ∙ Elathur train fire related to the assessment of the state police’s investigation of no progress, central agencies with a parallel investigation. Research and Analysis Wing (RO) and Central Intelligence Bureau (IB) officials have intensified a parallel investigation into those who helped the accused. Last day, the RAW team conducted a search in Elathur and its surrounding areas in search of information about those who helped accused Shah Rukh Saifee in his journey to Kannur after the fire in Elathur.
The special investigation team of the police has been informing the RO and IB officers who have been camping in Kozhikode for a week about the interrogation details of each day. However, their assessment is that there is no significant progress in the interrogation. The investigation of the central agencies is not relying only on the statement of the accused but also looking for other possibilities. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had earlier submitted its preliminary investigation report to the Union Home Ministry.
The statement of the accused is that on the night of April 2, the passengers in the D1 coach of the Alappuzha-Kannur Executive Express threw petrol on them and set them on fire, and then traveled to Kannur in the same train. It is being investigated whether there was anyone to help the accused inside and outside the train during this journey. It is also being checked whether the accused reached Kannur by train. On the last day, following the information that 2 people went out on a scooter at a high speed from the alley adjacent to the fuel storage shed near the Elathur railway station, within half an hour of the attack on the train, RO officials conducted an inspection in this area. It is also being checked whether the accused received help in Shornoor area. Central agencies have also collected information on people associated with some banned organizations in the region.
The police say that the challenge to the investigation is that the accused is not cooperating with the interrogation. Yesterday, ADGP M.R. Ajithkumar led a meeting of investigating officers. Escort vehicles from various police stations in the district were brought to Malurkunn AR camp yesterday to take the accused to different places for evidence collection. However, after receiving more information from the accused, the decision to take evidence was changed after the suggestion was raised in the meeting of the investigating officers that it is enough to take evidence. An attempt is being made to collect evidence today.
English Summary: Central agencies parallel investigation in train arson case