Udupi Boat Tragedy: Three Arrested for Negligence After Fatal Capsize
In a tragic incident at Kodibengre in Brahmavar taluk, Udupi, three persons have been arrested following a boat capsize that resulted in the drowning deaths of three youths. The accused, identified as Suhas Shriyan, 23, Sufiyan, 20, and Vasu Mendon, 52, all residents of Kodi village in Brahmavar taluk, are now in judicial custody after being produced before the court.
Details of the Fatal Incident
The boat capsize occurred around 11:15 am on January 26, when a tourist boat named 'The Wave Rider' overturned in the Swarna River near the estuary at Kodibengre village. According to the investigation, the boat was carrying 14 persons, including the complainant G Guruprasad, 34, of Mysuru, who was part of a larger group of 29 tourists on a boating trip. The tourists had been divided into two separate boats, with 14 in one and 15 in another.
During the boating activity, the operators, Sufiyan and Vasu, allegedly turned the boat sharply to the left in a rash and negligent manner, causing it to capsize. All 14 individuals on board were thrown into the river. In the ensuing chaos, Shankarappa, 27, Sindhu P, 23, and Disha, 26, tragically drowned and died, while the others managed to escape narrowly.
Investigation Reveals Gross Negligence
Udupi SP Hariram Shankar stated that the investigation uncovered severe lapses in safety and regulatory compliance. The accused were operating the boating activity without obtaining any licence or permission from the tourism department. Furthermore, the boat did not possess any certification declaring it fit for tourist activity, and it was found to be unsuitable for such rides.
Critical safety measures were completely absent. No life jackets were provided to the passengers, exacerbating the risk and contributing to the fatalities. This blatant disregard for safety norms highlights the negligence that led to this preventable tragedy.
Legal Actions and Case Transfer
Based on the complaint filed by Guruprasad, the Malpe police initially registered a case under sections 284, 125(a), and 106 of the BNS. However, since the place of occurrence fell under the jurisdiction of the Kota police station, the case was transferred accordingly.
Given that the deaths occurred due to the negligence and rash conduct of the accused, additional sections were invoked. The case is now registered at the Kota police station under sections 284, 125(a), 106, 105, and 110 read with 3(5) of the BNS. All three accused have been remanded in judicial custody, pending further legal proceedings.
Broader Implications and Safety Concerns
This incident underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations in tourist activities, particularly in water-based ventures. The lack of proper licensing, certification, and basic safety equipment like life jackets poses a significant threat to public safety.
Authorities are likely to intensify inspections and crackdowns on unauthorized boating operations to prevent such tragedies in the future. The community in Udupi and surrounding areas is urged to remain vigilant and report any unsafe practices to the authorities promptly.
