The West Bengal government on Wednesday gave its consent to the Union Home Ministry for a CBI inquiry into the July 19 Sainthia rail accident in West Bengal's Birbhum district that left 66 passengers dead.
"We have sent our opinion to the MHA saying they can go ahead with the CBI probe into the Sainthia rail accident if they wanted. The state government will have no objection though the CID investigation ordered by the state government has already progressed a lot," Home Secretary Samar Ghosh said.
The Ministry of Home Affairs in a recent communication had sought the state government's opinion on a CBI inquiry into the accident as demanded by Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The Railways, had also urged the MHA for a CBI probe into the accident.
The Sealdah-bound Uttarbanga Express had collided with the rear of the Ranchi-bound Vananchal Express at the Sainthia railway station.
The CBI is also probing the May 28 Jnaneshwari train disaster which claimed 148 lives in West Midnapore district.