AMRITSAR: Twenty people, including the Dussehra celebration organisers and railway officials have been summoned so far, according to the Jalandhar divisional commissioner B Purushartha. Around 61 people were killed and several injured when a train ploughed through a crowd watching a Ravana effigy being burnt in Amritsar on October 19. Purushartha recorded statements of 51 people, including relatives of the dead and injured, and eyewitnesses. He said he has also questioned Amritsar DC Kamaldeep Singh Sangha, Commissioner of Police SS Srivastava and Deputy Commissioner of Police Amrik Singh Pawar.
Also questioned is the main organiser of the event, Saurabh Madaan aka Mithu. He has however, not summoned Navjot Kaur Sidhu, who was present at the celebrations. Purushartha said, “If need arises everyone involved will be called for questioning.” A victim, along with the help of SAD-BJP leaders, lodged a complaint against Kaur and Mithu at the Mohkampura police station holding them “responsible” for the tragedy. Led by former minister Bikram Singh Majithia, SAD-BJP workers lead by former minister Bikram Singh Majithia held a protest at the Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT) office during a public hearing on the train tragedy. They raised slogans and demanded probe by a high court judge. Protesters asked, “Why the inquiry is being conducted at the AIT office which is under Navjot Singh Sidhu?”
Majithia said the magisterial inquiry has been ordered to give a clean chit to Sidhu's wife. “People and media were not allowed in the trust office. If this was to be done, the inquiry could have been held at Sidhu's residence.” Eyewitnesses blame Mithu and Kaur for delay in starting the ceremony. The councillor said the organisers had made several announcements asking spectators to move away from the tracks. Councillor Moti Bhatia said, “The organiser had taken permission from the MC but now the commissioner is lying.” He said, “Victim Lakhbir Singh has lodged the complaint under the influence of SAD-BJP leaders. Initially, he had held train's driver responsible for the incident when Kaur had gone to inquire about his health.”
