A man declared dead in a 2010 derailment in India that killed 148 people has been found to be alive after 11 years and has been detained by authorities who are now investigating the matter.
The International Business Times reports that Amritavan Chowdhury, age 38, was being held by India’s Central Bureau of Investigation after the bureau began “a discreet inquiry” after a railway official raised the possibility the alledged victim was still alive, despite having been identified through DNA testing. The man’s family received compensation of 400,000 rupees ($5,395 at current exchange rates) as well as a job for a family member; his sister has been working as a railway signaling assistant.
Chowdbury had been believed dead after the May 28, 2010, accident in which a Mumbai-bound express train derailed and collided head-on with a freight train.
The fact that a body was identified as Chowdhury through DNA testing indicates “there was some tampering with the DNA report,” a CBI officer said. A senior police officer said it was apparent “the Chowdhury family, in alleged connivance with some government officials, had tampered with the DNA profiling report.”
A first information report on the case — the document which begins the investigation process — includes Chowdhury, his sister, and parents, and unknown government and private officials within the investigation.
The Hindustan Times reports Chowdhury, who was questioned at length on Sunday by the CBI, told reporters, “I have been framed,” and said he would return the monitary compensation with interest, while his sister would resign from her railway job.
“monitary”? Is that an Indian-English word?
More correctly: “I’ve been resurrected.” Cheers!