CBI to probe train derailment in WB,Mamata welcomes decision

The decision to go ahead with a CBI probe was taken as the incident had taken place on railway property therefore not requiring the concurrence of a state government in such cases,an official said in New Delhi.

The derailment of the Howrah-Kurla train in Midanpore last Saturday in which 148 passengers were killed has been blamed on Maoists.

“We have decided to hand over the case to CBI under Section 5 of Delhi Police Special Establishment Act,under which the CBI functions,” the official said.

During the investigation,the CBI will be helped by the Central security agencies,Railway Protection Force and West Bengal government.

“Today the West Bengal government has conveyed to us that they will cooperate in the investigation,” the official said.

Banerjee welcomed Centre’s decision saying that truth should come out.

“Whoever has done it,the culprits should be brought to book. It is a heinous crime. The truth should come out,” she said in Kolkata.

The West Bengal government said they only have been informed about the Centre’s decision and that no formal notification has been received yet.

“Our Chief Secretary (Ardhendu Sen) has received a phone call from (Union Home Secretary) Mr G K Pillai informing him about the CBI enquiry. But,we have not received any formal notification yet,” Home Secretary Samar Ghosh told newsmen.

DGP Bhupinder Singh said the ongoing investigation by the CID would continue till the notification from the Union Home Ministry was received.

Banerjee had alleged that there was a political conspiracy hinting at rival CPI-M behind the train derailment and said this could be unearthed only through a CBI probe.

However,the West Bengal government said a CBI probe was not required after its views were sought by the Union Home Ministry.

“The CID probe has progressed a great deal and the state government does not feel that a parallel inquiry is necessary,” Home Secretary Samar Ghosh on Monday.

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram had said that the needle of suspicion points to Maoists or front organisations of CPI Maoists.

The Section 5 of Delhi Police Special Establishment Act says that the Central Government may by order extend to any area (including Railways areas),1[in 2[a State,not being a Union territory the powers and jurisdiction of member of the Delhi Special Police Establishment for the investigation of any offences or classes of offences.