Today, the Kerala High Court initiated suo motu proceedings in light of the boat accident that claimed 22 lives, including 15 children in the Tanur area of Malappuram district.
According to the recent media, the tourist boat which had allegedly been functioning without the mandatory fitness certificate, had possibly capsized due to overcrowding. It is alleged that the boat which only had around twenty seats, had accommodated persons over and above its capacity.
The Division Bench headed by Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice Shoba Annamma Eapen, initiate suo motu action on the incident observed:
The final loss is for the citizens and no other because instances like this are erased from memory soon. Therefore judicial interference becomes necessary, lest the unfortunate loss of lives is forgotten.
During an urgent hearing today, the Court suggested that compensation should be given to the victims and their families in case of such accidents, and must be recovered from the negligent officers responsible for such accidents. There are police officers, Port officers, local self-government institutions officers, village officers, district collector and his team under the Disaster Management Act, the Court noted.
The Court further, directed the District Collector to file his first report on the matter before the next date of hearing, in his capacity as Chairperson of the District Disaster Management Authority.
"we are seeing such incidents happening in years. Every time, a large number of lives are lost. In this particular incident, why didn't anyone know that there was overloading happening?." Justice Ramachandran further remarked "We are seeing this from the prism of 22 families who have lost their loved ones. 22 people have died. The police were not there. No supervision at all. You let the private operator do whatever they want."
Justice Ramachandran observed that every tragedy triggers routine investigations followed by recommendations, but no action is taken thereafter. "Since our State has hundreds of boats in tourism further such incidents though unthinkable, are waiting to happen somewhere someplace if the present state of affairs is allowed to continue."
