The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has imposed Section 16 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against Shahrukh Saifi, who was arrested from Maharashtra, the main accused in the train arson incident that resulted in the loss of three lives, including a two-year-old child. The incident took place on April 2 near Elathur in Kozhikode district.
The team had taken Saifi to Kannur on April 12 to collect evidence from the two train coaches of the Alappuzha-Kannur Executive Express train in which he had set fire to some passengers. The accused has confessed to the crime committed by him, according to the police.
Saifi's police custody is set to expire on April 18.
A Kozhikode First Class Judicial Magistrate had granted 11-day custody of Saifi to police after he was discharged from the hospital upon undergoing treatment for the injuries he suffered during an attempt to escape from the moving train. Further details regarding the case will be revealed in the coming days.
What Is Section 16 Of The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967
Section 16 invoked against Saifi entails that he will be charged with life imprisonment.
As per the UAPA, anyone who commits a terrorist act will face punishment according to the severity of their offence. If their actions have resulted in someone's death, they may be punished with either the death penalty or life imprisonment, as well as a fine. If the terrorist act did not result in death, the perpetrator will face imprisonment for at least five years, up to life imprisonment, and a fine.
Section 16: Punishment For Terrorist Act
16. Punishment for terrorist act--(1) Whoever commits a terrorist act shall,--
(a) if such act has resulted in the death of any person, be punishable with death or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine;
(b) in any other case, be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than five years but which may extend to imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.