Balasore Train Accident: CBI Files Chargesheet Against Three Railway Employees

The Central Bureau Of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday filed a charge sheet against three accused who were arrested over alleged charges of destroying proofs in connection with the Balasore train accident that took place on June 2.

The three main accused Senior Section Engineer (Signals) Arun Kumar Mahanta, Section Engineer Amir Khand and technician Pappu Kumarwere were convicted on July 7 by the central investigating agency.

In its charge sheet filed before Special CBI court in Bhubaneswar, the central investigating agency has charged the accused under Indian Penal Code Section 304 part II (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), Section 34 read with 201 (common cause read with destruction of evidence) and 153 of the Railways Act.

The CBI has alleged that the duty of the accused was to ensure testing, overhauling and carrying out alterations to the existing signal and interlocking installations were in accordance with the approved plan and instructions. However, the accused failed to perform his duties.

The accident took place after the Coromandel Express crashed into a stationary freight train at Bahanaga Bazar station in the Balasore district that claimed more than 290 people leaving several others severely injured.

After the accident, a few coaches of the Coromandel Express hit the last few coaches of the Bengaluru-Howrah Super Fast Express which was passing from the station at the same time.

The Centre announced that the CBI would be investigating the case. On 6 June, the agency took over the investigation. It became involved in the case when allegations of tampering with the electronic interlocking system were raised after the accident.