Suvendu seeks death penalty for gateman in Murshidabad accident

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday directed the police to expedite the investigation into the Murshidabad level crossing accident that claimed five lives and said the prosecution should seek capital punishment for the arrested gateman. Adhikari gave directions after meeting the victims’ families and handing over cheques of Rs 5 lakh each.

A train rammed into a school vehicle, killing five people, including four students, at the Govindpur level crossing on July 17.

“I am directing the police clearly to complete their investigation while the accused gateman is still in custody. They must submit the chargesheet while he is still in custody. A custodial trial must be conducted so that he is awarded capital punishment,” he said.

Adhikari instructed the SP and DM of Murshidabad to monitor the investigation closely, stating that a special public prosecutor will be appointed.

He also asked local MLA Bharat Kumar Jhawar to keep track of the case and regularly update him.

The chief minister flew to Baharampur by helicopter around noon and travelled by road to Govindpur, stopping briefly at the accident site before meeting the bereaved families at a programme held in the Govindpur village. State minister Gaurishankar Ghosh, DM Rajarshi Mitra, SP Sachin Makkar, Beldanga MLA Jhawar and other senior officials were present. Adhikari met the families individually before the programme and appeared emotional during the interactions.

“I have spoken to the families of the deceased separately. I am with them. Let the almighty give them strength so that they can overcome this tragedy,” he said. The CM said he had assigned specific responsibilities to the district administration to address some of the demands raised by the families and assured them that several issues would be resolved within the next 15 days.

“I will also ask the villagers to stand by these families so that they do not feel alone or suffer from depression. Like the police administration, I will also keep a tab on their social support. MLA Jhawar and minister Ghosh will also monitor the situation,” he said. Referring to those injured in the accident, Adhikari said doctors at Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital had made every effort to save the victims. “We tried a lot to save everybody, but could not. Two people are still undergoing treatment,” he said.