Miscreants' involvement suspected in Howrah-Dehradun Exp fire

"Let us wait for the inquiry report. Involvement of miscreants cannot be ruled out at this stage. But I am not speculating anything. According to the initial report, a person came with some smelly substance, then smoke came out," Trivedi told reporters outside Parliament here.

Seven persons including two children were killed in the fire in Giridih in Jharkhand. Two AC coaches were gutted in the fire in the early hours. Trivedi said, "But I don't have more details about it. Inquiry is going on and truth will come out. So nothing can be ruled out at this stage including the miscreant angle. The real cause of the fire will be ascertained after the inquiry only."

Extending his deep condolence to the bereaved families, he said, "I am really quite hurt with what has happened in the early hours of this morning." The Railway Minister, who has also announced ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the next of kin of those killed in the fire and Rs 25,000 for the passengers of the two affected coaches, said, "No compensation for life can be given".

"We have announced Rs 5 lakhs to the next of the kin of each of the deceased and Rs 25000 to those who were injured and who were in the coach no BI and B2 as they might have lost their luggage or might have been injured," he said.

"A thorough inquiry is in place and the actual cause of the accident will be only know after the Commissioner, Railway Safety, gives us the report."