As part of its ongoing investigation into the fatal triple train accident involving Odisha, India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday sealed the rented home of Soro Section signal junior engineer (JE). The JE, identified as Amir Khan, was initially questioned by the CBI at an unidentified location, according to a report from the Indo-Asian News Service on Monday. Khan’s rented home in Soro was locked when agency representatives arrived there on Monday, and the entire family was vanished.
The rental home was later sealed by the CBI. According to the report, two CBI agents are closely monitoring the house.
The installation, maintenance and repair of signalling equipment, such as signals, track circuits, point machines and interlocking systems, fall under the purview of the signal JE. Overall, they are essential in guaranteeing uninterrupted, secure train operations.
It is now crucial to take note of the railway authorities’ insistence that the Odisha train tragedy was caused by “deliberate interference with the electronic interlocking system.” Rinkesh Roy, the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Khurda, was reported by the news agency as saying, “You get green signal only after completing all the prerequisites, such whether the route is set and everything is in order. Technically, there is never a green light when there is even a minor issue; it always turns red. It can’t turn green unless someone has physically messed with it, that is, until someone has tampered with it.
The CBI assumed control of the investigation into the train tragedy that happened in Balasore, Odisha, on June 6. In relation to this occurrence, the CBI has already started a First Information Report (FIR). In this instance, claims of tampering with the electronic interlock system after the accident led to the CBI’s intervention.
Officials expressed worries about intentional sabotage of the electronic interlocking system, which is in charge of transmitting information on the status of trains. The CBI personnel assigned to the case may not have much experience dealing with railway-related issues, therefore it is likely that their knowledge and skills will be needed as the investigation moves forward.
An investigation is reportedly ongoing to examine if five railway employees, including the station master at Bahanaga Bazar, may have been involved.
