The Odisha train accident has been in the news cycle for the past couple of days. On Sunday evening, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the Railway Board has recommended a CBI probe into the colossal tragedy.
Since the CBI probe recco has come in the wake of a sabotage theory, the issue is grabbing headlines. Critics are seeing the move as an attempt by the government to do blame-shifting. The recommendation has been described as a diversionary tactic. "There is no need for a technical probe," critics are asserting.
Some outspoken party spokespersons have upped the ante. Saket Gokhale of the TMC opined that the CBI is a criminal investigation agency whose job is to investigate crimes and not railway accidents and lapses. "Railway accidents are probed by investigative boards or commissions with technical expertise. The Modi government is desperate to bury the truth and hide its failure by handing the Odisha train crash probe to CBI," he added.
Supporters of the decision believe that the Minister's recommendation for a CBI probe is based on information suggesting that certain elements intentionally tampered with the electronic interlocking system, fully aware of the potential consequences. However, it is important to note that, at present, the sabotage theory remains speculative and has not been conclusively proven.
