Magisterial probe over, report to be submitted by Tuesday
MISHAP Jalandhar divisional commissioner B Purushartha conducted oneman inquiry
AMRITSAR:THE magisterial inquiry into the Amritsar train tragedy has concluded and its report will be submitted to the state government on Monday, said Jalandhar divisional commissioner B Purushartha, who is conducting a one-man inquiry into the incident.
Purushartha said, “The inquiry is complete. The report will be submitted to Punjab home secretary NS Kalsi on Monday or Tuesday,” he added.
At least 61 people, including women and children, were mowed down by a speeding train at Dhobi Ghat near Jaura Phatak railway crossing on Dussehra on October 19. The revellers were watching the ceremonial burning of Ravan’s effigy.
CM Captain Amarinder Singh had constituted a commission to probe the incident a day after the tragedy. Purushartha had initiated the inquiry on October 22 and the deadline of the completion of the probe is November 19.
During its probe, the commission had summoned senior officials and employees of the Punjab Police, district administration, government railway police (GRP), railway protection force (RPF) and Indian Railways for their statements.
Purushartha also examined the organisers of the Dussehra event, including its key organiser Saurabh Madan alias Mithu, son of a Congress councillor, Vijay Madan.
Navjot Kaur Sidhu, wife of Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu also recorded her statement before the commission. She was the chief guest at the event and was accused of delaying the function. Her husband Navjot Singh Sidhu was also summoned but he had skipped his appearance before the commission and instead sent a written statement through his wife.
During the probe, October 25 and 29 were fixed for public hearings during which, eyewitness, relatives of the deceased and injured also recorded their statements, besides giving evidences to the commission.
The probe official also conducted a mock trial of the incident on November 9. He, however, has not been sharing the proceedings of the probe.
The Punjab government had announced government jobs to next-of-kin of those killed in the tragedy. The state government also gave ₹5 lakh to each deceased’s family.
Meanwhile, two parallel inquiries — one by GRP and another by Indian Railways — are also being conducted into the tragedy.