Kerala Tourist Boat Accident: Owner Arrested; High Court Initiates Suo Moto PIL

The Kerala police have arrested Nassar, the owner of the tourist boat 'Atlantic' that capsized near Thanur in Malappuram district. 22 people lost their lives and many were injured.

Nassar, who has been charged with culpable homicide was absconding after the incident.

The Kerala High Court has initiated a hearing on a suo moto Public Interest Litigation (PIL). Expressing shock over the incident, it said that these kinds of incidents have been happening repeatedly in the state and it needed to get to the root of the problem.

The Court said that steps must be taken against errant officials. It has ordered the Malappuram District Collector to file a report by 12 May, which has been fixed as the next date of hearing.

Earlier, the State Human Rights Commission had taken suo moto cognisance of the incident and asked for a report from the Malappuram District Collector and the Chief Port Surveyor of Alappuzha within 10 days.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who visited the site yesterday (8 May) had announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and a judicial probe into the incident.

Also Read: Kerala: 22 People Dead After Tourist Boat Capsizes; PM Condoles Deaths