Orissa HC grants bail to 3 in Balasore train accident case

Orissa HC grants bail to 3 in Balasore train accident case

Satyasundar Barik

BHUBANESWAR 31.10.2024 

The Orissa High Court has attributed one of India’s deadliest train accidents, which claimed the lives of 296 passengers in Balasore district last year, to the composite negligence of railway authorities who failed in upkeep, maintenance, and proper functioning of the signal system at the Bahanaga station.

The court, however, granted conditional bail to three railway employees who were investigated for their alleged lapses in duty, stating that there was no conclusive evidence to suggest that they were completely responsible for the tragedy. “The petitioners’ [three employees] entry into the North Goomty and the tampering with the circuit in North Goomty, which is the bone of contention of the prosecution, does not conclusively indicate that the petitioners are solely responsible for the tragedy,” the court observed. The court said the role of the stationmaster of the Bahanaga Bazar station was not inquired into properly by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Adjudicating the bail applications moved by the three employees, Justice Aditya Kumar Mohapatra said, “On a wholesome consideration of the entire incident, this court is of the view that the entire tragedy is a result of a composite negligence on the part of the railway personnel/officials/executives, who were responsible for the upkeep, maintenance and proper functioning of the signal system at the Bahanaga station.” The bail was granted as the CBI had concluded its investigation.

“There is no doubt that had the authorities been more careful and sincere in discharging their duties, the accident could have been averted, thereby saving the human lives lost,” the judge observed.

Justice Mohapatra added, “Be it a criminal act causing death of hundreds or a negligence on the part of the Indian Railways and its officials and employees, one thing is for certain; the magnitude of the damage in the present case is huge. Therefore, the investigation is required to be broad-based and comprehensive, taking within its sweep the conduct of every officer involved in the signaling system.”