'His soul can now rest in peace': Widow after report clears loco pilot of Kanchanjunga Express accident blame

KOLKATA/SILIGURI: The bereaved family of goods train loco pilot Anil Kumar has been vindicated as a chief commissioner of railway safety (CCRS) report has cleared him of the blame for the June 17 Kanchanjunga Express accident, which claimed 10 lives and left 43 injured.
"My husband was blamed for the accident within hours of the train collision. Still mourning his death, we were shocked to hear Anil being held responsible even before the inquiry had begun.But we are glad that Railways has conducted a proper inquiry and cleared him. His soul can now rest in peace," Anil's widow, Roshni Kumar, told TOI .
Within two hours of the goods train rear-ending the Kanchanjunga Express, Railway Board chairperson Jaya Verma Sinha and other railway officials jumped to the conclusion that the "deceased pilot" and his injured assistant were at fault.
The CCRS preliminary report held that the freight train loco pilot was allowed on a section despite the presence of Kanchanjunga Express and was handed a wrong memo to pass all defective signals without any caution order.
The investigation found that the goods train was travelling at 78 kmph when it spotted the rear end of Kanchenjungha Express and applied the emergency brake. But the train could slow down to only 40 kmph before it crashing into Kanchenjungha. The report noted that Anil had adjusted the throttle 10 times in 5 minutes, indicating his alertnesss.
Neighbours said they always believed that Kumar couldn't have been at fault, given his stainless career and reputation for sincerity. "It was unfair to blame a dead man for the accident, especially since he was unable to defend himself. We are relieved that that the truth has come out," said Kajal Das, a neighbour.
Railway officials said Kumar's family was paid a compensation of Rs 25 lakh. "The pension order has also been issued and the gratuity will be paid soon. Since his sons are still minors, one of them will be offered a job with Railways upon reaching adulthood," said a senior NFR official.