Kozhikode: Police has stepped up investigations into arson that killed three passengers in a running train in Kozhikode. The incident took place on board Alappuzha-Kannur Executive Express, Sunday night.
In a bag found at crime seen, police found a notebook with the name. Shahrukh Saifi and place indicated as Noida. Police have collected eye-witness accounts in the case. The suspect is said to have sustained burns and police are making inquiries at hospitals for anyone who might have showed up after the crime. Several people have been questioned. Droplets of blood were found in front Hindustan Petroleum plant located on opposite side of Elathur train tracks along the national highway and forensic team has collected samples ,just in case.
The gruesome incident took place Sunday night close to 9.30 pm when an unidentified man emerged in D-2 bogie seemingly from the D-1 and threw petrol from a bottle on to the passengers and then setting fire before getting away. Three, including a child, who jumped out of the train died. Nine others sustained burn injuries. After setting the fire and train came to a halt, the suspect waited by side of the road where a bike picked him up and disappeared into the darkness.
The bag found at the scene is police’s best lead so far. They found a mobile inside, but it does not work. Also, the charger found is not that of the phone in the bag. However, the notebook bears name Sharukh Saifi and the scribblings iindicate the man is carpenter by trade.
Earlier, police took note of a CCTV footage that showed a young man on bike close to the highway at crime scene. However, the subject turned out to be student on way to Mangaluru and had nothing to do with the crime.
A 18-member special team headed by Malappuram Crime Branch SP Vikraman has been formed to work the case.
