Saturday, February 26 2005 14:17 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Ahmedabad: Nine suspended constables of the Western Railways have been issued show cause notices asking them to explain as to why they should not be dismissed from service for their alleged "negligence" in connection with the Godhra train carnage.

"These nine constables were issued show cause notices yesterday (Feb 25, 2005) for negligence while on duty on the day of the Sabarmati Express train carnage at Godhra railway station on February 27, 2002," Railway Superintendent of Police A S Gehlot said in Ahmedabad today (Feb 26, 2005).

The constables were supposed to board the Sabarmati Express from Dahod railway station and escort it to Ahmedabad but did not do so as the train was late that day, Gehlot said adding that instead they boarded the Shanti Express to come to Ahmedabad.

The four armed constables did not do their duty properly and departmental action has been initiated against them more than a year ago, he added.

A total of 59 'kar sevaks' returning from Ayodhya on board the Sabarmati Express were killed when the S-6 coach was set afire by a violent crowd.