Kochi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed the charge sheet against Shahrukh Saifi in connection with the Elathur train arson case. 

NIA claims that Saifi, who faces UAPA charges, aimed to create panic among the public and held extremist views. He is also the sole accused in the case. 

“Sharukh, the sole accused in the gory case, had sprinkled petrol on the passengers and set the bogey on fire with a lighter with the intention to kill people,” the spokesperson said quoting the charge sheet. 

The official said the investigations show that he had chosen Kerala for the act involving terror and arson as he wanted to commit his "Jihadi" act in a location where he would not be recognised.

“He had intended to return to normal life after the commission of the act, aimed at creating terror in the minds of the general public,” the spokesperson said.

Saifi followed religious clerics based in Pakistan and often listened to their speeches. He later decided to commit the act alone, says in the charge sheet submitted to the NIA court in Kochi. 

“In this process, he followed radical and hardline Islamic preachers including those who are Pakistan-based, on social media platforms. He had committed the arson as a Jihadi terror act in pursuance of the online radicalisation,” the spokesperson said.

On April 2, 2023, Saifi had attempted to set some passengers on fire on board the Alappuzha-Kannur Executive Express at Elathur in Kozhikode, after spraying them with an inflammable liquid. Three passengers lost their lives while trying to jump out of the train to escape the fire. Saifi was later arrested from Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. 

A native of Shaheen Bagh in Delhi, Shahrukh Saifi was arrested by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Maharashtra police and Central Intelligence.