Odisha train accident: 3 accused railway officials sent to 5-day CBI custody

Bhubaneswar: A CBI court on Friday granted five-day remand to three railway employees arrested in connection with the Blasore triple-train accident probe for further questioning. The CBI had sought seven days’ remand of the trio for further investigation but the court granted only five days’ remand. Earlier, on Friday, the premier central probe agency had arrested Senior Section Engineer Arun Kumar Mohanta, Section Engineer Mohd Amir Khan and Technician Pappu Kumar under sections 304 and 201 of the Indian Penal Code and section 153 of the Railways Act, 1989.

The triple-train accident on 2 June involved the Chennai-bound Coromandel Express, the Howrah-bound Shalimar Express and a goods train. The accident claimed the lives of 291 people and injured over 1,000 passengers.

The Railway Board had recommended a CBI probe into the accident, following which the agency took over the probe on June 6.

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“A case in connection with the said accident was earlier registered on June 3 at Balasore GRPS, District Cuttack (Odisha) under GRPS Case No. 64,” said an official CBI statement. A CBI inquiry was initiated in the matter in the wake of allegations of tampering with the electronic interlocking system of the Coromandel Express.

Earlier, Archana Joshi, General Manager of South Eastern Railway was transferred almost a month after the tragic accident involving three trains in Balasore. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has given its nod to Anil Kumar Mishra to take over as General Manager of South Eastern Railway. In an official statement, the Indian Railways said, “Archana Joshi, General Manager, South Eastern Railway has been removed from her post following the Balasore train accident. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved Anil Kumar Mishra to become the new General Manager of South Eastern Railway.” Is.”