CBI takes over Gyaneshwari derailment probe

The Central Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday took over the investigations into the Gyaneshwari Express train derailment in West Bengal by registering a case in connection with the May 28 rail disaster that had claimed 148 lives.

"The CBI has taken over the investigation into the incident and has registered a case," CBI spokesperson Harsh Bhal said.

The central government had on June 3, 2010 issued a notification for a CBI probe into the tragedy. Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee had demanded a CBI probe after claiming that there was a 'political conspiracy' behind the derailment.

The West Bengal government has said the derailment was an act of sabotage by the Maoists. The state police have also made some arrests in the case. The CBI said the West Bengal government had also issued a formal notification permitting it to investigate the train disaster.

As part of the probe, the CBI will investigate all angles including conspiracy in connection with the case. The case has been registered under Section 427 of the Indian Penal Code (damaging property), various sections of the Indian Railways Act and the Explosive Substances Act.