Overview

• NHRC took suo motu cognisance of the July 8 accident at LC-170 in Cuddalore district after a passenger train struck a school van, killing three children and injuring the driver and another student.
• Notices have been sent to the Railway Board chairman, Ministry of Railways, Tamil Nadu chief secretary and DGP, with a two-week deadline for a comprehensive report.
• The commission observed that the reports raise serious human rights concerns and demanded updates on the injured students’ current health status.
• Southern Railway asserts the gate was closed before the collision, while the van driver and an injured student maintain it remained open at impact.
• A fully funded underpass at the crossing has been stalled for over a year after the District Collector withheld approval.