The Chhattisgarh Police on Wednesday (November 5, 2025) registered a case of death by negligence and other offences against unidentified persons in connection with the Bilaspur train accident, where a passenger train collided with a stationary goods train, claiming 11 lives and injuring 20 others.
The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday evening (November 4, 2025) when the MEMU local train (No. 68733) crashed into the rear of a stationary goods train (N/MDIT) near Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh. Rescue operations concluded early Wednesday morning, around 5.30 a.m., after authorities confirmed the final death toll.
FIR filed under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Railways Act
Bilaspur Superintendent of Police Rajnesh Singh confirmed that the case was filed based on a memo submitted by the Railways. The FIR includes offences under Sections 106(1) (causing death by negligence) and 125(A) (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, along with Sections 153, 154 and 175 of the Railways Act, 1989, all of which relate to negligence and endangering passenger safety.
“We received the initial report, but these are prima facie technical points and are part of our investigation. The Commissioner of Railway Safety will now look into the cause of the accident and provide a detailed report during which police officers will also be present,” Singh told reporters.
Initial probe points to human error
A five-member expert committee from the Railways submitted a preliminary report indicating that the crew failed to control the passenger train at a red signal, leading to the fatal collision.
The report stated that the MEMU local’s crew violated Signal No. AJ-5, committing what is known as a Signal Passed at Danger (SPAD) — a serious operational breach that occurs when a train crosses a red signal without authorisation.
The loco pilot of the passenger train was killed on the spot, while the assistant loco pilot sustained critical injuries and remains hospitalised, unable to give a statement as of Wednesday evening.
Railway officials said the findings from this preliminary report would form a key part of the police investigation.
Commissioner of Railway Safety to lead inquiry
The Central government has ordered a statutory inquiry under Section 113 of the Indian Railways Act, 1989, to be conducted by B. K. Mishra, Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), South Eastern Circle, Kolkata.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation, under which the CRS operates, said the inquiry will commence on Thursday (November 6, 2025) at the Divisional Railway Manager’s office in Bilaspur.
According to the official release, “Any person having information regarding this accident and the facts related to it and willing to give evidence can appear and give evidence, or can send information in writing.”
Railway authorities have assured that the investigation will be transparent, and all aspects — including mechanical, human, and signal-related factors — will be examined in detail.
Rescue operations and aftermath
Rescue efforts, which began soon after the collision, involved railway staff, disaster response teams, and local authorities, who worked through the night to retrieve passengers trapped inside the mangled coaches.
By early Wednesday morning, all survivors and bodies had been recovered, and train movement in the affected section was gradually restored.
The Indian Railways released an updated bulletin confirming 11 deaths, including six women, and 20 injured passengers, who are currently undergoing treatment at various hospitals in Bilaspur and nearby districts.
Officials have also announced compensation packages for the families of the deceased and the injured, while the damaged track and coaches are being examined as part of the ongoing technical assessment.
Focus shifts to accountability and safety
The Bilaspur collision has reignited questions about signal adherence and crew fatigue on regional routes. Safety experts say that while SPAD incidents are rare, they are among the most dangerous operational failures in rail transport, often caused by human error, signal malfunction, or communication lapses.
Authorities said that the final report by the Commissioner of Railway Safety will be crucial in determining accountability and recommending safety upgrades, including enhanced crew monitoring and automatic braking systems to prevent SPAD violations in the future.