Daijiworld Media Network - Bilaspur/Raipur
Bilaspur/Raipur, Nov 6: Following the devastating train accident in Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur district that left 11 people dead and 20 injured, police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against an unidentified individual, initiating a formal criminal investigation into the tragedy.
According to Additional Superintendent of Police Rajendra Jaiswal, the FIR was filed at Torwa police station based on a report submitted by a railway official.
The fatal collision took place on November 4 near Gatora station, where a MEMU passenger train crashed head-on into a stationary freight train. The violent impact killed 11 passengers instantly, including the MEMU train’s loco pilot.
Rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the site, with emergency personnel working through the night to save trapped passengers. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals, where, according to Bilaspur Collector Sanjay Agarwal, two victims remain in critical condition.
Police have invoked Section 106(1) of the Indian Penal Code (causing death by negligence), Section 125(A) (acts endangering life or personal safety), along with applicable sections of the Railway Act.
The police inquiry will run concurrently with a separate investigation launched by railway authorities. A five-member committee led by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (South Eastern Circle) has already begun its probe into the sequence of events leading up to the crash.
The inquiry panel is expected to record statements from 19 individuals — including railway personnel and eyewitnesses — on November 6 and 7, in an effort to trace any procedural lapses or communication failures.
Preliminary findings within the railway department suggest possible human error. Sources have indicated that the MEMU train’s loco pilot, who had recently been promoted to his position just a month earlier, may have lacked sufficient experience — a factor now under close examination by investigators.
The incident has reignited public debate over railway safety standards, particularly in high-density corridors like Bilaspur. Experts have urged for a systemic review of signalling systems, staff training, and communication protocols to prevent future mishaps.
As dual investigations proceed, authorities have pledged transparency and accountability. “Every aspect — from human error to technical failure — will be scrutinized so that such tragedies are not repeated,” officials said.
For now, grief and unanswered questions weigh heavily on the families of the victims, who await justice and a commitment to safer rail operations across the country.