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DNA Solves Twin Identity Crisis in Railway Deaths
21 Mar
Summary
- Two families identified the same victim, leading to a DNA test.
- Over 23% of railway accident victims in 2025 remained unidentified.
- Digital tools like CCTNS aid police in identifying unknown victims.
In October 2024, Mangibai Naik identified a deceased railway accident victim as her son, Nandesh. Days later, Bholanath Barik claimed the same victim was his missing son, Ghanshyam. A DNA test performed by the state forensic science laboratory confirmed the victim was Ghanshyam, devastating Barik. In 2025, 2,287 lives were lost in railway accidents, with over 23% of victims going unidentified. The Government Railway Police (GRP) has implemented special campaigns, including dedicated four-member teams, to improve victim identification.
Challenges persist, as victims are often disfigured or lack identification. Ghanshyam, who died on June 8, 2024, while crossing tracks, had no ID. He had argued with his father over money before disappearing. A friend spotting his photo on a police banner at Kurla station alerted his father. Activist Sameer Zaveri noted that migrant workers often remain unidentified as their families are unaware of accidents.
When identities are unknown, bodies are held for seven to ten days before cremation. Photos and belongings are kept for later identification. Tools like CCTNS and the Maharashtra Citizen's portal are crucial for this process. A recent case involved the identification of Gopinath, who fell from a train, through a photo uploaded to CCTNS, allowing his sister Binati Durva to claim his body.
