Balasore train tragedy: CBI makes first arrests, three railway staff held

According to sources CBI has arrested 3 accused in the Balasore train tragedy who have been identified as senior Section engineer Arun Kumar Mohanta, section engineer Mohammad Amir Khan & technician Pappu Kumar.

CBI has taken significant action in the horrific train accident in Balasore. The development comes over a month after the tragic accident killed over 290 people in Balasore and injured over 1200 people.

According to reports the CBI arrested 3 people, senior Section engineer Arun Kumar Mohanta, section engineer Mohammad Amir Khan & technician Pappu Kumar, under sections 304 and 201 CrPC. This was the first arrest made by the CBI, which was probing the possibility of a criminal conspiracy into the accident.

The three men have been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder (Section 304 of the Indian Penal Code) and destruction of evidence (Section 201 of the Indian Penal Code).

Sources say the investigation has revealed that the actions of these three employees allegedly lead to the accident, and they have been charged for culpable homicide not amounting to murder as “they had knowledge” that their actions would result in their actions would result in this tragedy but nit the ‘intent’

The CBI’s arrests are a significant development in the investigation into the Balasore train accident. The agency is still investigating the case, and it is possible that more arrests will be made in the future.

The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) report found that the accident was caused by “lapses in the signaling circuit alteration” at a north signal cabin of the Bahanaga Bazar railway station. The report also found that there were irregularities in the execution of signaling work linked to the replacement of the electric lifting barrier at the level crossing gate 94. The Railway Board decided not to make public the CRS probe report to ensure that there is no “influence or interference” on the CBI’s ongoing investigation in the case.

Additional details:

• The CBI arrests were made after the Commissioner of Railways Safety (CRS) submitted his findings on the accident. The CRS’s report found that the accident was caused by faulty signalling.
• The three men who were arrested were responsible for maintaining the signalling system in the area where the accident occurred.
• The CBI is still investigating the case, and it is possible that more arrests will be made in the future.

The Balasore train accident was a horrific tragedy that claimed the lives of many innocent people. The CBI’s arrests are a step towards bringing justice to the victims and their families.

The Chennai-bound Coromandel Express, Howrah-bound SMVP Superfast Express from Bengaluru, and a goods train were involved in one of the country’s worst rail accidents near Bahanaga Bazar railway station on June 2.