Odisha train tragedy: CBI searches house of railway signal engineer

Following searches for around six hours, the CBI officials took the JE to an undisclosed location for further interrogation. Neither the CBI officials nor Khan told anything to the media about the search and interrogation.

People stand next to damaged coaches after two passenger trains collided in Balasore district in the eastern state of Odisha, India, June 3, 2023. (File/Reuters)

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A day after sealing his rented house at Soro in Balasore district, the CBI on Tuesday, as part of its probe into the June 2 Odisha train accident, searched the house of Railway Signal Junior Engineer (JE) Amir Khan in his presence.

Following searches for around six hours, the CBI officials took the JE to an undisclosed location for further interrogation. Neither the CBI officials nor Khan told anything to the media about the search and interrogation.

Also Read | How did the Odisha train crash happen? This is what we know so far

Khan is posted with the signalling wing at the Soro section that is responsible for installation, maintenance and repair of the signalling system.

The Bahanaga Bazar where the accident involving three trains took place falls under the Soro section, officials said.

According to the neighbours, Khan has been staying in the accommodation for the past one-and-half years and the house had been locked ever since the accident.

Contrary to the report in a section of the media that Khan was missing after the accident, the South Eastern railway on Tuesday clarified that none of the staff members is missing or absconding.

The central probe agency that had initiated the probe into the incident has also interrogated almost all the staff members posted at Bahanaga Bazar and seized their mobile phones, as well as the log book and digital logs from the record room, for forensic examination to ascertain the cause behind the tragedy.