Man Dies as Hand Gets Stuck in Kolkata Metro Door, CM Orders Probe

The accident occurred when the man was attempting to board the train.

The Quint
India
Updated:
Image used for representational purposes only.
i
Image used for representational purposes only.
(Photo Courtesy: Kolkata Metro)

advertisement

A 66-year-old man died on Saturday, 13 July, after his hand got stuck between two doors of a metro train which started moving soon after from Park Street station in Kolkata, police said, reported PTI.

The deceased has been identified as Sajal Kanjilal, a resident of Kasba area of the city, the police said.

“There has been an unfortunate incident at Park Street station at 6:42 pm. While boarding a Kabi Subhash-bound train, a passenger’s hand got stuck between the doors.”
Metro Railway spokesperson

The train was immediately brought to a halt and its power supply switched off, while the passengers were evacuated, the spokesperson said, reported PTI.

According to NDTV, the door which is equipped with sensors, is believed to have malfunctioned.

The spokesperson further informed that PC Sharma, general manager, Metro, has ordered a high-level probe “to look into the possible causes of the lapse, including why the sensors of the door did not function.”

Mamata Orders Inquiry

Describing the incident as “very unfortunate,” Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has also ordered a police inquiry into the incident.

She also asked state Urban Development Minister and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim to rush to the spot and assure Kanjilal's family of full cooperation from the government.

Metro services were briefly suspended following the mishap. Several passengers also assembled at the Park Street station, accusing Metro Railway authorities of mismanagement and demanding action.

Who Was Sajal Kanjilal ?

The 66-year-old unmarried man who had no siblings, was a magazine seller at Nandan, a movie theatre and cultural centre in Kolkata, reported The Telegraph.

Whenever the Academy of Fine Arts which is situated behind Nandan, used to call Sajal, he would sit outside the college for several hours, in order to help college’s aspiring artists to make live portraits.

Sajal’s family members told The Telegraph that he would travel to Nandan by Metro and used to get down at Kalighat Metro station, on his way back home.

(With inputs from NDTV, PTI and The Telegraph)

(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)

Published: 13 Jul 2019,10:12 PM IST

ADVERTISEMENT
SCROLL FOR NEXT