Police investigation into information leak in train arson case continues

Kozhikode: Kerala Police's department-level inquiry into the purported leak of confidential details about the arrest and whereabouts of the accused in the Elathur train arson case is still ongoing.

Earlier, the government suspended senior IPS officer P Vijayan, the former head of the state's ATS unit, in connection with the incident. Additionally, a probe is ongoing against railway police officials. 

The accused, Shahrukh Saifi, a Delhi native, was caught in Ratnagiri on April 5, three days after April 2, when he allegedly set fire to passengers on the Alappuzha-Kannur Express.

The probe would be against officials on duty at the time of the incident, including those from the forensic department.

According to police officials, media persons arrived at Shahrukh Saifi's house before the Kerala Police team reached there. Further, the media also conducted video interviews with family and relatives.

In an initial report submitted by Kozhikode City Police, the ‘unprecedented move from the media outlets’ is viewed as a failure of police. The report also blasted officials for not ensuring the confidentiality of the evidence collected from the crime scene. The key shreds of evidence in the case, including the accused's bag, mobile phone, notebook and notes, were also publicised through media channels.