The CBI has started an investigation into the Balasore train accident. This accident caused 288 deaths due to alleged criminal negligence. Officials say that the CBI started their investigation after registering an FIR at 2.15 pm on Tuesday. The CBI cannot collect any document or material, question witnesses, record statements, or conduct searches without the FIR.
The Ministry of Railways brought in the Central probe agency after a preliminary inquiry flagged tampering with the electronic interlocking system. This system detects the presence of trains, and officials suspected ‘sabotage’ behind the Friday accident.
The CBI spokesperson said, “The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered a case on the request of Ministry of Railways, consent of Odisha government and further orders from DoPT (Government of India) relating to the train accident involving Coromandel Express, Yesvantpur-Howrah Express and a goods train at Bahanaga Bazar in Odisha on June 2.”
