CID begins probe into Sainthia train tragedy

KOLKATA - The West Bengal Criminal Investigation Department (CID) sleuths Thursday began a probe into the Sainthia train tragedy that claimed 63 lives Monday.

A CID team led by Deputy Inspector General (Special) Pankaj Dutta visited Sainthia station in Birbhum district, and went to the Government Railway Police (GRP) outpost where the First Information Report (FIR) was registered by a person into the accident.

The CID officially took over the investigation from the GRP.

The CID personnel spoke to railway officials, hawkers and eye witnesses to the accident. They then proceeded to the Gadadharpur station, where the Uttar Banga Express halted for two minutes before getting clearance for approaching Sainthia.

The CID team spoke to the deputy station master at Gadadharpur who was on duty on Monday morning and then returned to Sainthia to examine the railway tracks and the signalling system. They also checked the different points on the down main line, said a railway employee.

“The CID officials went to the route relay inter-locking cabin and spoke with the employees there. They asked them to explain the functioning of the inter-locking system and its link with the signalling system,” said an employee.

Dutta said: “We are looking into every possibility leading to the accident. We have spoken to the railway officials and overseen the tracks and signalling system. We will conduct the probe scientifically.”

Meanwhile, the CID officials appealed before a lower court in Rampurhat for being allowed to take viscera samples of the dead drivers of Uttar Banga Express and the guard of the Vananchal Express for tests in Kolkata.

“The court has agreed and the samples of the deceased will be sent to Kolkata from Suri hospital soon,” said a CID offiicial.