KOCHI: The police on Tuesday slapped a murder charge on the owner of the boat that capsized in Tanur, leaving 22 people dead. Meanwhile, the Kerala High Court initiated a suo motu case in the incident, terming it a tragedy that “should never have happened.”
The special investigation team (SIT), which registered a case under Section 302 (murder) of the IPC against Nasar P, said he operated the ill-fated boat Atlantic despite knowing that the chances of a tragedy were high. Nasar was interrogated and then produced before Parappanangadi judicial first-class magistrate, who sent him to judicial custody. He is lodged in the Tirur sub-jail.
Meanwhile, an HC division bench of Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice Shoba Annamma Eapen directed the Malappuram district collector to file a report on the incident by May 12. It also highlighted Kerala’s past boat tragedies and its effect on people.
“From ‘Redeemer’ that capsized in January 1924, drowning Mahakavi Kumaranasan and 34 others, to ‘Jalakanyaka’ that sunk in 2009 in Idukki killing 45; and other Poseidon tragedies taking place with frightening regularity, citizens seem justifiably indurated (hardened) to news of loss of lives caused solely by a deathly cocktail of callousness, indifference, greed and official apathy. How many more will we have to see?” asked the bench.
Refusal to follow safety protocols is infuriating: HC
The HC said 22 precious lives were lost in a boat tragedy, which by initial accounts was “one that should have never happened and (could have been) fully averted.” It said unless the court puts its foot down, causative factors such as overloading, violation of laws and absence of safety requirements like life jackets would be repeated with impunity.
“Every tragedy triggers routine investigations followed by recommendations, but never to be heeded thereafter. The refusal to follow and enforce the most basic safety protocols is infuriating. More so, since our state has hundreds of boats in tourism, and such an incident is waiting to happen if the present state of affairs is allowed to continue,” the bench said.
The court said that had the authorities concerned done their duty, the mishap, like the others, would have never happened. “The final loss is to citizens as instances like these are erased from memory soon,” said the court.
Driver, helpers on the run
Malappuram district police chief Sujith Das, who is heading the SIT, said Dinesh, the boat’s driver, and his helpers are absconding since the May 7 incident. “A search is on to nab them,” he said, adding that the SIT will seek the custody of boat owner Nasar soon.