Balasore: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested three persons in connection to the Bahanaga triple train tragedy that killed at least 293 persons and injured over 1000 persons.
The CBI has arrested senior section engineer Arun Kumar Mohanta, section engineer Mohammad Amir Khan and technician Pappu Kumar under sections 304 and 201 of CrPC.
According to sources, the officials have been arrested after the Central Agency found them responsible in the case and trying to hide the criminal negligence for which the tragic train accident took place on June 2 evening. They have been accused of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and destruction of evidence.
Notably, the Commission of Railway Safety (CRS), which was investigated into the technical angle of the case, had found that lapses in the signalling-circuit alteration carried out at the North Signal Goomty in the past, and during the execution of the signaling work related to the replacement of the ‘electric lifting barrier’ for level-crossing gate no.94 at the station.
The CRS report has also mentioned the non-supply of circuit diagram for ELB replacement work, which is the responsibility of the accident has been placed on the Signal and Telecommunication Department.
It has been categorically mentioned that lapses at multiple levels in the department were responsible for the accident. It has also been mentioned that had the Station Master told the S&T staff about the strange behaviour of the Crossover 17A/B, they could have found the problem in the wiring that connects to the electronic logic of the crossover. This could have averted the accident, said the report.