The Southern Railway has ordered an inquiry by a committee of officials led by Principal Chief Safety Officer into the circumstances that led to the accident involving the Villupuram – Mayiladuthurai passenger train and a school van which resulted in the death of three students at Semmankuppam in Cuddalore on Tuesday.
According to official sources, the committee has summoned 13 persons, including the driver of the school van, gate keeper Pankaj Sharma, Cuddalore Station Master and the loco pilot of the Villupuram – Mayiladuthurai passenger train no. 56813, which was involved in the accident.
The gate keeper, Pankaj Sharma, was placed under suspension and process initiated for his dismissal from service. The charge against him was that he had flouted the safety protocol and rules by opening the gate under pressure.
He was arrested on the basis of a First Information Report filed against him for criminal negligence, Southern Railway said. The committee would also inspect the level crossing at Semmankuppam.
