Balasore train accident: CBI arrests 3 railway employees

The CBI on Friday took into custody three railway personnel in connection with the June 2 Balasore train accident which claimed 293 lives, making the first arrests in the case, officials said. All the three personnel are from the signalling department and posted in Balasore district of Odisha, they said. The probe agency apprehended Senior Section Engineer (signal) (in-charge) Arun Kumar Mahanta posted in Balasore, Senior Section Engineer (Signal) Mohammed Amir Khan posted at Soro near Balasore, and technician Pappu Kumar posted at Balasore. The trio has been questioned several times since the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the case on June 6, they said.

As per information, the investigation has revealed that the actions of these three 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 this tragedy but not the 'intent'. The CBI has also charged the three accused with section 201 of the IPC for disappearing evidence of an offence. A recent report by the Commissioner Railway Safety (CRS) pointed out human errors as the cause behind the devastating accident.The CRS had reportedly highlighted negligence on the part of a few ground officials who did not follow adequate safety procedures of inspection, particularly after changes were made in the design due to safety concerns three years ago.