After Visiting Bahanaga Accident Site, CBI Registers Case In Odisha’s Triple Train Crash

Bhubaneswar: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday registered a case related to the triple train crash, involving Coromandel Express, Yashwantpur-Howrah Express and a goods train at Bahanaga Bazar in Balasore district on June 2 evening in which at least 278 people were killed and over 1000 injured.

The case was registered under under Sections 337, 338, 304-A, which applies in case of death or physical harm to another person due to rash & negligent act of a person, and 34 (criminal act is done by several persons in furtherance of the common intention of all,) of IPC, besides 153, 154 & 175 of Railway Act, 1989, on the request of Ministry of Railways, consent of  the Odisha Government and further orders from DoPT, an official release said.

The CBI has taken over the investigation of the case earlier registered at Balasore GRPS regarding the accident, it added.

Earlier in the day, a 10-member CBI team along with central forensic officials visited the site of the accident and examined the signal room, loop line, and main line at the Bahanaga Bazar railway station.

Also Read: Odisha Train Accident: More Than 100 Unclaimed Bodies ‘To Be Embalmed’; DNA Test Begins

The Railways is also conducting a separate probe into the accident. Khurda Road division DRM Rinkesh Roy told that media that they are suspecting ‘physical tampering’ of the system of the Bahanaga station. “There was a green signal on the main line. The signal is usually green when all the pre-conditions required for the signal to go green are perfect. If any of the pre-conditions does not meet, technically the signal can never turn green, unless and until anyone physically tampers with the signal system. But, from the data records, it shows that when Coromandel Express was reaching the station, the signal was green, but the train moved to the loop line,” he said.

Also Read: CBI Steps Up Probe At Odisha Train Accident Site In Balasore

Compensation amounting to Rs 6.90 crore has already been given to the next of kin of those who died in the accident. The Railways has also decided to assist the bereaved families till cremation. In addition, if and when the victims’ families desire to immerse the remains in the river, Railways will extend help in that too, Indian Express reported quoting top sources.

Also Read: 39 From Odisha Killed In Triple Train Crash; CM Sanctions Rs 1.95 Cr As Ex-Gratia