2010 Jnaneswari Express tragedy: Calcutta HC grants bail to 6 accused

The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday granted bail to six accused in the 2010 derailment of the Jnaneswari Express in West Bengal’s West Midnapore district.

The Mumbai-bound train had derailed near Jhargram and was then hit by an oncoming goods train, leading to the death of 148 passengers. Authorities said the derailment, which took place at around 1 am on May 28, 2010, was the result of alleged sabotage by Maoists. The incident took place soon after a four-day bandh called by the CPI (Maoist) had begun.

Granting bail to the six accused, Justices Partha Sarathi Chatterjee and Tapabrata Chakraborty said that “whatever may be the nature of the offence”, even in cases filed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA),