CBI says no to Mamta's probe demand

CBI has turned down Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee's demand for a probe into the Mathura train accident, which claimed 22 lives, saying it does not warrant a probe by the agency.

CBI has turned down Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee's demand for a probe into the Mathura train accident, which claimed 22 lives, saying it does not warrant a probe by the agency.

HT Image

Sources in railways admitted that the Ministry's demand did not find any favour with the CBI, which said conducting an inquiry into the accident was not feasible.

Banerjee had sought a CBI probe saying there was more to the incident as the Goa Express rammed the Mewar Express on October 21 near Mathura under "mysterious" circumstances.

Railways felt that pulling the alarm chain of Mewar Express and the unscheduled stop was part of a larger conspiracy, which needed to be investigated thoroughly by the CBI.

It had initiated a probe under Commissioner of Railway Safety P K Bajpayee. The preliminary inquiry had concluded that the accident was caused due to failure of railway staff.