WB gets notification on CBI probe

The West Bengal Government has received formal notification from the Centre about its decision for a CBI probe into the May 28 Jnaneswari Express derailment that left 148 passengers dead.

The notification has been received, but the terms of reference are yet to arrive, chief secretary Ardhendu Sen told reporters here today.

The CID investigation, which was ordered into the derailment in West Midnapore district by the state government would not be wound up immediately. This would be decided after the terms of reference were received, Sen said.

In Delhi, the department of personnel and training (DoPT) issued a notification yesterday handing over the probe to the CBI which will register a case.

The Centre has decided to go ahead with a CBI probe as the mishap took place on railway property and therefore did not require concurrence of the state government concerned.

Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee has alleged 'political conspiracy' behind the incident, hinting at rival CPI-M’s hand in the derailment and claimed that this could be unearthed only through a CBI probe, which the state government had earlier held as not required.