Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday recommended a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the 23 October Coimbatore LPG cylinder explosion in a car, considering the possibility of cross-state developments and international relations in the investigation.
In the recommendation letter, Stalin has asked to transfer the investigation of the case related to the car cylinder explosion in the Ukkadam area to the NIA and to continue to ensure security in Coimbatore.
Stalin’s order followed a detailed review meeting held earlier in the day at the Head Office under the leadership of the Chief Minister regarding the ongoing investigation of the case.
At this review meeting, the investigation being carried out by the police department regarding the case and the precautionary security arrangements made in the Coimbatore district were discussed; and the Chief Minister directed the police officers to further ensure security in the Coimbatore district regarding the current status of the case. It was decided to make appropriate recommendations to the Union Government to transfer the investigation of this case to the NIA as there is a possibility of cross-state developments and international relations in the investigation of such incidents. The move comes after Tamil Nadu Police on Tuesday invoked the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with the case, and a day ago arrested five men who were associates of Jameesha Mubin, who was charred to death in suspicious circumstances after an LPG cylinder inside a Maruti 800 he was driving exploded near a temple around 4 a.m.
As per police, Mubin, 25, who was an engineering graduate, has been previously questioned by the NIA in 2019 for alleged terror links. He has been registered as the primary accused in the case.
The five people arrested on Monday night were Mohammad Thalka, 25, Mohammad Asarudheen, 25, Muhammad Riyaz, 27, Feroz Ismail, 27, and Mohammad Navaz Ismail, 27.
