CBI sleuths visit Gyaneshwari Express accident spot
By IANSFriday, June 11, 2010
KOLKATA - The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials probing the Gyaneshwari Express accident Friday made a survey of the spot where the train derailed near Jhargram in West Bengal and took custody of two people arrested earlier for their alleged involvement in the sabotage.
Khagen Mahato and Samir Mahato, arrested by the state’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID), were brought before a lower Court in Jhargram town and remanded to CBI custody till June 17.
“The CID officials presented the two accused before Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Jhargram. He remanded them in CBI custody till June 17,” said defence counsel Kaushik Sinha.
CBI officials in two groups visited the Jhargram Court and the spot between Sardiha and Khemashuli stations where the train got derailed May 28 and was later hit by a freight train resulting in the death of 148 people.
A CBI team led by Prabal Halder went to Jhargram court while another led by CBI special crime branch (Kolkata) Superintendent A. Bothra met West Midnapore district magistrate N.S. Nigam, police superintendent Manoj Verma, Kharagpur divisional railway manager of South Eastern Railway Anil Handa.
After the meeting, the CBI sleuths along with the district administrative officials went to the spot by road and then returned to Mindapore town by a special two-compartment train.
“We have visited the spot and met senior officers of the district administration,” said Bothra.
A senior police officer said the CBI team held a series of meetings with the district administrative officials and senior police officers in Midnapore after visiting the spot.
