Odisha train accident: CBI starts train probe, inspects station panel room, speaks to staff

The CBI has started its investigation based on an initial FIR registered by the Government Railway Police (GRP) at Balasore police station.

It has been filed against unknown persons under IPC sections 304 A (death by negligence), 337 (negligent and rash act endangering human life), 338 (causing grievous hurt) and 34 (act with common intention). Sections of the Railway Act 1989 have also been invoked, including 153 (wilful neglect endangering safety of persons travelling in railways), 154 (endangering safety of persons travelling in railway by rash negligent act or omission) and 175 (any railway servant on duty endangering the safety of any person).

In a press statement, the CBI said it has “registered a case on the request of the Ministry of Railways, consent of the Odisha Government and further orders from DoPT (Govt. of India)”.

A six-member CBI team arrived at the site of the accident around 11 am and inspected it, before visiting Bahanaga Bazar railway station, where a huge contingent of railway police was already present.

Investigators first checked the panel room of the station, which displayed the signalling system. They later spoke to officials in the record room, and were also seen inspecting the railway station. All officials working at the railway station were present.

According to sources, the CBI has asked the Railways for documents and physical and digital logs from before and after the accident. Agency officials have also started recording statements of officials present at the station.

The panel room, which doubles up as the station manager’s room, was the focus of the probe. It houses the panel board and video display unit which runs the signalling system for all passing trains.

Sources said the station premises do not have CCTV cameras.

According to sources, the Bahanaga Bazar station has one station manager and three station superintendents, apart from other staff. The station superintendents and station manager generally take turns manning the panel room.

Sources said the station superintendent who manned the panel on the evening of June 2 was also taken to Kharagpur to depose before the Commissioner of Railway Safety.

Meanwhile, at the railway crossing near the site of the tragedy, workers were seen putting up new boom barriers as a huge contingent of policemen stood guard.

A staff member from the station, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “I was scheduled to be on duty that evening. I had to attend a marriage ceremony and took leave. Someone else was at my place.”