Tanur Boat Tragedy: Kerala High Court Grants State Time To Explain Measures To Prevent Boat Accidents, Wants Senior Bureaucrat To Assist In Matter

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday directed the State Government to nominate a senior most bureaucrat to assist the Court in matter of suo motu proceedings initiated in light of the tragic boat accident in Tanur area of Malappuram district, which claimed 22 lives, including 15 children in May, 2023. 

The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice S.V.N. Bhatti and Justice Basant Balaji passed the Order. 

As per media reports, 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.

Another Division Bench comprising Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice Sophy Thomas had earlier issued certain preliminary directions in the matter, including that of issuing of proper appropriate Orders and circulars to all the boat owners and operators to conspicuously exhibit a board at point of embarkation, exit and within the cabins, both lower and upper deck in English and Malayalam, showing the number of passengers that can be allowed on it; maintaining a written record of number of passengers that is certified by a designated employee; insurance of tourist boats, and so on.

The Court yesterday, also granted two weeks' time to file a comprehensive report of an Officer authorized by the Chief Secretary on the incident and the measures taken to prevent the same, on the request of the Senior Government Pleader V. Manu. 

The matter has been placed for further consideration on June 22, 2023. 

Case Title: Suo Motu v. State of Kerala 

Click Here To Read/Download The Order