ERODE: Unidentified miscreants attempted to derail the Yercaud-Chennai Express by placing an iron rail across the tracks near Magudanchavadi in Salem district. It is alleged that three judges of the Madras High Court were travelling on that train.
Sources said the train from Erode to Chennai Central had departed as usual on Tuesday night. The train was travelling between Mavelipalayam and Magudanchavadi railway stations at 9.45 pm. At that time, the train engine rammed into a piece of railway track that was placed across the track.
The train dragged the piece along for about a kilometre, and subsequently, the engine broke down.
Officials from Erode and Salem railway stations and Erode railway police rushed to the spot and held an inspection. Even after 1.5 hours, the engine could not be repaired. Subsequently, a replacement engine from Salem arrived, and the train departed at 11.31 pm.
Officials from the Salem railway division said, "No passengers were hurt in this incident. After a short delay, the train was made operational using a replacement engine. Police are looking into the matter."
K Babu, DSP of Railway Police, said, "We are actively working to arrest the culprits. We don't believe there is a big motive behind this. It could have been done by drunk people sitting near the tracks."
Sources said that three Madras High Court judges and a few retired judges were travelling in the train. They were returning to Chennai after attending a memorial service in Erode.
“A case has been registered under two sections of the Railways Act, 1989. Evidence has been collected from the scene, and we are also looking into nearby CCTV footage. Further investigations are on,” a railway police officer said.