Conspiracy Allegation Follows Railroad Worker’s Death, Investigation Shows Poor Coordination

Amar Kumar Rao was killed during a maneuver operation at Barauni Junction in Bihar.

New Delhi:

A preliminary investigation by Indian Railways has revealed that a worker was crushed to death following “poor coordination” between two signalmen during a shunting operation at Bihar’s Barauni Junction station.

After reviewing CCTV footage and witness statements, the Railways held signalman Muhammad Sulaiman responsible for incorrectly signaling to the locomotive driver, leading to Amar Kumar’s death.

After train 15204 Lucknow-Barauni arrived at the station at 8.10 am on November 9, Mr Sulaiman and Mr Kumar were sent to dismantle the engine. According to a report signed by five railway officers, the latter became trapped between the engine and the electric car after the locomotive gave incorrect signals to the locomotive during duty.

It was reported that after the audience raised the alarm, the train driver got off the train and fled the scene without restarting the engine or taking any precautions to prevent the accident.

After almost two hours, the engine and electric car were separated and the body was removed.

Mr Kumar’s family has demanded legal action against Mr Suleman

However, Mr. Süleyman defended himself in his written submission and blamed the locomotive driver for the accident. He said he and Mr. Kumar disconnected the engine from the electric car by removing the center bumper mount, a device that connects the engine to a passenger bus.

He further said that the engine moved slightly away from the electric car and when Mr. Kumar went to close the bumper coupler, the driver reversed the engine without taking any hand signals from him (Suleman).

According to railway officials, another high-level investigation has been ordered.

With PTI inputs