Balasore train accident | Composite negligence by railway authorities to be blamed for Bahanaga accident: Orissa HC 

High Court grants bail to railway employees in deadly train accident due to composite negligence by railway authorities.

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

The High 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.

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“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 High Court said the role of the Station Master of the Bahanaga Bazar station was not inquired into properly by the investigating agency (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 is granted as the CBI has concluded its investigation.