BHUBANESWAR: Six months after Subash Ramachandran went on a train torching spree, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday presented a closure report before a designated court stating that he has no terror links.
The investigation agency submitted that since there is no terror angle in the incident, the case should be transferred back to the court of Sub Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM), Puri and tried under normal provisions of Indian Penal Code.
Terror cases are investigated under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act which is no longer required in the case. Similarly, trial is conducted by special courts and the Khurda District and Sessions Court is the designated special court.
The NIA, which had taken over the case following a request from the State Government, submitted that Subash played a lone hand in burning train coaches and none else was involved. All his previous theories were apparently stories he made up in a bid to lap up attention.
Sources said the agency carried out investigation basing on the statements and evidence available, but found none which could tie Subash to any terror outfit.
On November 12, 2015, Subash set five coaches of four trains on fire at Bhubaneswar and Puri. He allegedly carried out a similar act at Kharagpur Railway Station a day before too. Soon, reports of similar arson at railway stations in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh came in, fuelling speculation that he may have been part of an organised group.
However, the NIA probe revealed to the contrary. The agency also carried out a psycho analysis of the accused during which it was found that 35-year-old Subash, a native of Tamil Nadu, suffered from schizophrenia and had traits of megalomania. Since he had a disturbed childhood and allegedly attempted suicide during Class IX, he wanted to 'prove himself'. He also sought attention.
At Puri, after the last arson act on November 12, Subash walked into Railway Police Force (RPF) personnel scanning the platforms and was arrested. A matchbox was seized from his possession which led to suspicion that he may have been the accused. Subash is believed to have deliberately provided that piece of evidence to the security personnel.
When the incident hogged limelight, he weaved several stories leaving the Government Railway Police - which had by then taken over investigation - perplexed.