CBI takes over Odisha train tragedy probe on Centre's request
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday took over the investigation into the Odisha triple train crash, which killed around 278 people and injured over 900. According to ANI, a CBI team reached the accident site in the Balasore district to collect evidence. Earlier, the matter was being investigated by the Railway Police after a case was registered in Cuttack on July 3.
Why does this story matter?
Around 7:00pm on Friday, 10-12 coaches of the Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express derailed near Odisha's Balasore and fell on the opposite track. Right after, a Yeswanthpur-Howrah train crashed into the derailed coaches, causing the derailment of three-four of its coaches. A stationary goods train, which was parked at the Bahanaga Bazar station also got involved in the crash.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recommended CBI probe
The CBI probe came after Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday recommended a probe by the central agency and requested it for the same. The preliminary investigation by the Rail Safety Department had reportedly identified the "root cause of the accident." However, it left certain questions and concerns unanswered, like whether it was a "criminal conspiracy" or "tampering."
CBI probe will focus on all angles: Report
According to reports, the CBI investigation would focus on resolving all questions regarding the tragedy, the deadliest in the country in the past two decades. It will look at all possibilities, including technical and human error, as well as sabotage, NDTV reported. On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged that anyone found guilty would face the harshest punishment possible.
Concerns raised by railway experts regarding signaling system
Railway experts have also raised some concerns regarding the signaling system, while some suspected "interference." SK Sinha, an Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru alumni, told NDTV that the electronic interlocking system used in Indian Railways is quite robust and unlikely to have failed on its own. Meanwhile, Railway Board Member (Operations and Business Development) Jaya Verma Sinha hinted at "foul play."
