Boat owner, 2 others arrested in Godavari boat tragedy that killed 34

Another 12 tourists and three staff members are still missing after the accident, but have been presumed dead.
Boat owner, 2 others arrested in Godavari boat tragedy that killed 34
Boat owner, 2 others arrested in Godavari boat tragedy that killed 34
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Police have arrested three persons, including the boat owner, of the ill-fated tourist boat on Godavari river that capsized drowning 34 tourists in September. The police have pinned the blame on the boat driver, who had died in the accident, and its three managers for allegedly causing the accident.

On September 15, 64 adults and 3 children were taken on the Sri Vashishtha Punnami Royal Tourist Boat. Together with eight staff members, a total of 75 people were taken on the boat through the Godavari river, which was in spate. The boat capsized near Devipatnam at Katchaluru.

The boat was being driven by Sandadi Nukuraju, an experienced driver who got his licence issued in 1985. However, due to the unavailability of drivers who knew the route, Sandadi was roped in as driver but he had no experience on the Godavari river route.

According to the East Godavari police, the accident happened because of the driver’s carelessness. Instead of driving the boat close to the left bank as is the usual practice, he took the boat through the centre of the floodwaters, causing the boat to capsize. The driver had little time to study the route. The accident resulted in the death of 34 tourists. Another 12 tourists and three staff members are still missing, but presumed dead.

The owner of the boat, Kodigudla Venkataraman and his KVR Tours and Travels company, are being held responsible for the accident. He has been booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder (Section 304 (II) read with Section 34) of the IPC with the Devipatnam Police station. Twenty-six tourists were rescued by the Katchaluru villagers and fishermen.

Police have arrested the boat managers, Kodigudla Venkataraman, Yalla Prabhavati and Yarramsetti Achyutamani. They are accused of sending the boat with an inexperienced driver, knowing that the water was flooded and dangerous and could pose a threat to the tourists' lives. The three accused were arrested from their Rajahmundry office on September 20 sent to Rampachodavaram District Magistrate court under remand.

Special teams are searching for the others accused in the case who is absconding. Search operations are also underway for the missing tourists and staff, through the NDRF, SDRF, police, fire service and revenue officials as well as local communities.

Speaking to TNM, Vishal Gummi, the superintendent of East Godavari police said, "We have been watching the boat owners movements all this while, as the rescue efforts were ongoing we did not make the arrest earlier. We had to check everything, their certificates, the arrest has been made after due investigation."

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