Gujarat : Case registered against 18 individuals in boat capsize that killed 12 children and 2 teachers in Vadodara

Vadodara : The Vadodara crime branch police have detained three individuals and filed an FIR against 18 people, invoking sections 304, 308, 337, 338, and 114 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), attributing culpable homicide in connection with the heart-wrenching incident at Harni Lake in Vadodara, Gujarat, that claimed the lives of 12 innocent children and two teachers as their boat capsized during a joyride.

Preliminary investigations brought to light the negligence in safety protocols during the ill-fated joyride by M/s Kotia Projects and its owner and employees. The teachers from New Sunrise School, accompanying the students on a picnic, reportedly objected to boarding all 25 children and four teachers in a single boat. Shantilal Solanki, the manager of Harni Lake Zone, allegedly insisted on the group traveling together, overriding safety concerns.

Solanki’s decision to overload the boat, coupled with the absence of life jackets for some passengers, escalated the risk. Witnesses reported that as the boat sailed, it encountered difficulties, causing it to sway. Subsequently, water started infiltrating the vessel, leading to a loss of balance and the tragic overturning of the boat.

The incident unfolded on Friday, casting a shadow over the picturesque Harni Lake. Rajesh Chauhan, an executive engineer in Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC), filed a complaint at Harni police station, revealing that the work order for developing Harni Lake Zone was awarded to M/s Kotia Project in 2017. The ongoing development included various attractions like amusement rides, food stalls, a banquet hall, and boating facilities.

Shockingly, the chief contractor of M/S Kotia Projects, the developers of Harni Lakezone, Paresh Shah, is currently absconding.

The FIR, filed against 18 individuals, makes no mention of the main contractor, Paresh Shah. Authorities are intensifying efforts to locate Shah, who is identified as the chief orchestrator of the development project. The police are taking action under IPC sections related to culpable homicide to ensure accountability for the tragic loss of lives.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, leaving families devastated and demanding answers. Parents of the deceased children and the entire community are expressing grief and outrage over the apparent negligence that resulted in this preventable tragedy.

The Vadodara crime branch is actively investigating the circumstances leading to the boat mishap. The police are meticulously examining witness statements, conducting forensic examinations, and scrutinizing the roles of all individuals involved, including those detained. The State Government has resolved to file a chargesheet within 10 days.