The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday began its probe at the accident site in Balasore, that had claimed 279 lives. A 10-member CBI team investigated the accident site to look at all possible reasons including “sabotage”.
The team had inspected the tracks, signal room and talked to railway officials at Bahanaga Bazar station in Balasore. A forensic team also accompanied the CBI officials. They, reportedly, spoke to the signal room employees and sought necessary information.
Earlier railway officials had indicated that possible “sabotage” and “changes in the interlocking system” could have led to the accident involving Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express and Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express. It was the Railway Board that recommended the CBI probe on Sunday. Over 1,200 got injured in the tragic accident.
Khurda Road Division DRM Rinkesh Roy had suspected physical ‘tampering’ of the signalling system. A day after the incident, the Central agency had taken over Balasore GRP case No. 64 registered by Odisha Police on June 3.
“The CBI will probe all aspects. It is gathering information and the Railways will extend full cooperation,” South Eastern Railway chief public relations officer Aditya Choudhury said.
On Monday, the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety, SE Circle, Shailesh Kumar Pathak had visited the spot and spoke to people about the accident as part of his probe. Five days after the horrific triple-train crash, over 101 bodies are yet to be identified, said Railway authorities.
Odisha Government began DNA sampling in cases involving mutilated bodies and fake claimants. According to the state government officials, the body will be handed over to the relatives in doubtful cases only if the DNA matches.
Odisha Chief Secretary P. K. Jena said the government will also conduct DNA sampling of unclaimed bodies before cremating those 72 hours after the accident. “As per the law, the government can cremate unclaimed bodies after 48 hours.
But we are keeping those for more time so that their families in different states can turn up. In cases where relatives don’t come for claiming the bodies, we will cremate those after keeping DNA samples for future use, if any,” Jena said.
The Coromandel Express crashed into a stationary goods train, derailing most of its coaches on Friday. A few coaches of Coromandel toppled over the last few coaches of the Bengaluru-Howrah Express which was passing by at the same time.
