Mumbai: Two accused, who attacked doctor for numbering stampede victims' bodies, arrested

Two of the accused, who allegedly attacked the forensic head of the King Edward Memorial Hospital, Dr. Harish Pathak, and tried to scribble a number on his forehead, have been arrested by the Bhoiwada Police.

An FIR was registered on complaint of Dr. Harish Pathak under sections 353, 145, and 149 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The accused that attacked the forensic head were agitated by the hospital's decision to identify the victims of the stampede at Mumbai's Elphinstone station by marking a number on their foreheads.

23 people were killed and over 39 got critically injured in a rush-hour stampede at Mumbai's Elphinstone railway station's foot-over bridge.

 

Meanwhile, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said 20 new foot-over bridges have been approved in the Central Railways and 10 new foot-over bridges in the Western Railways. Apart from this, 13 foot-over bridges have been approved for widening.

He said the 40 maintenance yards across the country will be upgraded and will be laced with modern technology for maintenance for wards, locomotive in a better way.

"I have sanctioned 15 car platforms for extension in the Western Railways, which will be beneficial for speeding up the process in the slow corridor," he said.

Earlier in the day, Goyal empowered the Railways' General Managers to spend whatever is necessary on safety.

Goyal took this decision, while chairing a meeting with the senior officers of the Railway Board at Western Railways headquarters at Churchgate. Various major decisions were taken in the meeting, wherein passenger safety has been accorded the highest priority.

For next 18 months, General Managers of Railway Zones have been delegated powers without limit for safety-related issues. They shall intimate the Financial Commissioner (FC) within a week of sanction for provision, and the FC shall confirm the same within 15 days. In case of disagreement, the matter shall be put up to the Railway Board for final decision within the same 15 days.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had expressed sadness over the Mumbai stampede, assuring that a strict action will be taken against the culprits.