The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), currently conducting an investigation into the train accident that occurred on June 2 in Balasore, Odisha, has interviewed a junior engineer working in the Soro section of the Railway signal department. In preparation for further questioning, officials have sealed the engineer’s house, according to official sources.
On Monday morning, a team of five CBI members arrived at the engineer’s residence and sealed it. Neighbors have reported that the house has been locked since the accident took place.
A senior Railway official stated that CBI officials have been conducting searches at various locations to gather evidence. However, there have been no instances of Railway officials being absent from duty since the train tragedy. Whenever individuals are summoned by the CBI for questioning, they fully cooperate with the investigation.
Another official mentioned that the CBI team is likely to bring the engineer to his house for further interrogation, which is why the house has been sealed. The engineer will be present when the house is unsealed.
The CBI initiated its investigation into the train tragedy on June 6, based on an initial FIR filed by the Government Railway Police at a police station in Balasore.
Prior to this, the agency had sealed the relay room, panel, and other equipment at the Bahanaga Bazar railway station to secure evidence. Railway officials, including those stationed at Bahanaga Bazar station, were interrogated, and their mobile phones, as well as the log book and digital logs before and after the accident, were seized from the record room for forensic examination. These measures were taken to determine the cause of the triple train collision, according to sources.
On June 2, the Coromandel Express, bound for Chennai, collided with a stationary goods train in Balasore, resulting in the derailment of several coaches. Subsequently, the Yesvantpur Superfast Express, headed to Howrah, collided with some of the derailed coaches of the Coromandel. The accident tragically claimed the lives of 292 individuals and left over 1,100 injured.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is scheduled to visit Bahanaga on Tuesday to express gratitude to local residents who assisted in the rescue, relief, and rebuilding efforts.
Prasanta Patnaik