New Delhi: Trinamool Congress leader Mamta Banerjee on November 21 created a stir in Lok Sabha by alleging that the probe into the recent Rajdhani Express accident was carried out by a tainted officer to "cover up" real causes.

As Opposition members, especially those from Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), supported Banerjee, who also asked how Railway Minister Nitish Kumar had "jumped to the conclusion" that it was an act of sabotage, Kumar categorically refuted the charges saying he had made the statement on the basis of prima facie evidence and versions of railway officials.

The exchanges, which occurred during Question Hour, also saw Banerjee, Kumar's predecessor in the Railway Ministry, demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the accident at Rafiganj near Gaya.

In his reply, Kumar said the Opposition and Banerjee were "trying to create an atmosphere of doubt and are not interested in finding out the truth".

On the charge that a tainted officer carried out the inquiry, Kumar said the probe was instituted under the Railway Safety Act and the laid down procedures were followed in appointing the inquiry officer.

Regarding his statement that the accident was caused by sabotage, he said he had only expressed his apprehensions on the basis of the prima facie evidence and the version of railway officials. "I was never categoric," he added.

PTI