Amritsar rail accident: Petition to HC appeals for CBI or SIT probe

The petitioner, through counsel Shashak Deo Sudh, claimed that the Punjab Police should have registered a case against all those responsible for organising such an “irresponsible event”.
Train accident survivor Aarti (centre) breaks down during cremation of her child and husband in Amritsar on Monday | PTI
Train accident survivor Aarti (centre) breaks down during cremation of her child and husband in Amritsar on Monday | PTI

CHANDIGARH: A petition seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation probe or formation of a Special Investigation Team was submitted to the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday in connection with the Amritsar train tragedy. Gurugram-based lawyer Dinesh Kumar Dakoria’s petition is expected to be placed before the bench headed by Chief Justice Krishna Murari on Tuesday.   

The petitioner, through counsel Shashak Deo Sudh, claimed that the Punjab Police should have registered a case against all those responsible for organising such an “irresponsible event” adjacent to Joda Phatak. He has made former Amritsar-East MLA Navjot Kaur a respondent. 

Apart from an HC monitored probe, the petitioner urged for a panel under retired or sitting judge for assessment and estimation of personal losses for grant of adequate compensation. Meanwhile, the Punjab Police and the Government Railway Police (GRP) are yet to initiate any action against Saurabh Madan alias Mithu, the organiser of Friday’s Dussehra function, as he has gone underground. 

In a video message, Madan claimed to have taken all kind of permissions for holding the event. “We had taken all kind of precautions. More than 50 police personnel were present at the venue. A fire brigade engine and a water tanker from the municipal corporation were also stationed,” Madan is heard saying. 
On Monday, Punjab Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu announced that he will adopt the families of the victims who died in the train tragedy. “I will take care of them for the rest of my life.  It’s my promise to the families and to everyone,” he said.

NHRC notice
The NHRC issued notice to the Punjab government and the Railway Board, asking for a report over the tragic incident. It also sought a report within four weeks over the disbursement of relief and rehabilitation as well as the status of treatment being provided to the injured.   

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