ID :
83244
Tue, 10/06/2009 - 12:35
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/83244
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Boat mishap: Steersman held, charged with culpable homicide
Thekkady, Oct 5 (PTI) The steersman and a crew member of
the boat that sank at Thekkady claiming 45 lives in India's
southern part were Monday arrested by police and charged with
culpable homicide not amounting to murder, as the Kerala
government ordered a safety audit of all tourist boats.
A high-level meeting also made a thorough review of the
safety aspects at tourist boating Centres in the state and
decided to make availability of life jackets mandatory in the
boats. The meeting was convened by Home and Tourism minister
Kodiyeri Balakrishnan.
After the boat tragedy last Wednesday, concern was
expressed over lack of adequate life jackets which may have
minimised the death toll.
The steersman Victor Samuel and sub-crew Anish were
arrested on the basis of findings by a police team that
carelessness on the part of the steersman and allowing
overcrowding on the upper deck of the vessel were the prime
factors that led to the state's worst ever tourist mishap.
Both were charged with sections 304 (culpable homicide
not amounting to murder) and 34 (act done by several persons
in common intention) of the Indian Penal Code. The culpable
homicide offence carries a maximum sentence of 10 years.
Victor and Anish were produced before a court at Peermade
in Idukki district which remanded them to judicial custody.
The investigation team headed by SP P A Valson had found
that the steersman took a sharp U-turn of the vessel without
slowing down when the tourists moved to one side to have
a good look at the wild animals on the banks.
Also, it was found that 12 more people were seated on the
upper deck of the boat which was in excess of the permissible
number, police sources said.
Victor and Anish were earlier taken to the lake spot as
part of the process to collect evidence.
Balakrishnan ordered a thorough safety check of all
tourist boats, including those operated by various government
agencies like the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation
(KTDC), whose boat Jalakanyaka sank in the Thekkady lake. A
multi-departmental team would be asked to conduct the safety
audit and submit its report within 10 days.
Rescue Boat teams would be stationed in boating centres
to act in case of emergencies, Balakrishnan told reporters at
Thiruvananthapuram.
Government would also explore the possibility of bringing
in a law to ensure safety of tourists at boating centres, the
minister said, adding the matter would be discussed with the
Law department.
According to police sources, an expert from Cochin
University has been commissioned to investigate if the
ill-fated boat had any design flaw.
He said life jackets had been made compulsory in all
tourist boats including those operated by private parties.
A Team of forensic experts under Chief Scientist K
Mohanan inspected the boat.
Meanwhile, the state Opposition leader Oommen Chandy
alleged that the driver and the crew were being made
scape goats to cover up the government's failure to enforce
safety measures. PTI NM
AM
the boat that sank at Thekkady claiming 45 lives in India's
southern part were Monday arrested by police and charged with
culpable homicide not amounting to murder, as the Kerala
government ordered a safety audit of all tourist boats.
A high-level meeting also made a thorough review of the
safety aspects at tourist boating Centres in the state and
decided to make availability of life jackets mandatory in the
boats. The meeting was convened by Home and Tourism minister
Kodiyeri Balakrishnan.
After the boat tragedy last Wednesday, concern was
expressed over lack of adequate life jackets which may have
minimised the death toll.
The steersman Victor Samuel and sub-crew Anish were
arrested on the basis of findings by a police team that
carelessness on the part of the steersman and allowing
overcrowding on the upper deck of the vessel were the prime
factors that led to the state's worst ever tourist mishap.
Both were charged with sections 304 (culpable homicide
not amounting to murder) and 34 (act done by several persons
in common intention) of the Indian Penal Code. The culpable
homicide offence carries a maximum sentence of 10 years.
Victor and Anish were produced before a court at Peermade
in Idukki district which remanded them to judicial custody.
The investigation team headed by SP P A Valson had found
that the steersman took a sharp U-turn of the vessel without
slowing down when the tourists moved to one side to have
a good look at the wild animals on the banks.
Also, it was found that 12 more people were seated on the
upper deck of the boat which was in excess of the permissible
number, police sources said.
Victor and Anish were earlier taken to the lake spot as
part of the process to collect evidence.
Balakrishnan ordered a thorough safety check of all
tourist boats, including those operated by various government
agencies like the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation
(KTDC), whose boat Jalakanyaka sank in the Thekkady lake. A
multi-departmental team would be asked to conduct the safety
audit and submit its report within 10 days.
Rescue Boat teams would be stationed in boating centres
to act in case of emergencies, Balakrishnan told reporters at
Thiruvananthapuram.
Government would also explore the possibility of bringing
in a law to ensure safety of tourists at boating centres, the
minister said, adding the matter would be discussed with the
Law department.
According to police sources, an expert from Cochin
University has been commissioned to investigate if the
ill-fated boat had any design flaw.
He said life jackets had been made compulsory in all
tourist boats including those operated by private parties.
A Team of forensic experts under Chief Scientist K
Mohanan inspected the boat.
Meanwhile, the state Opposition leader Oommen Chandy
alleged that the driver and the crew were being made
scape goats to cover up the government's failure to enforce
safety measures. PTI NM
AM
