Courtesy-India Today
Barge P305 sank in the Arabian sea during cyclone Tauktae, a month after being deployed for ONGC’s Mumbai High operations. For ignoring weather warnings along with failing to direct the barge captain to leave the area, three shore employees of a private shipping company have been arrested late on Friday by the Yellow gate police.
From the Papaa Shipping Company Private Limited, technical supervisor Akhilesh Tiwari along with manager Prasad Ganpat Rane and Director Nitin Dinanath Singh are the three accused.
The barge was chartered to AFCONS Infrastructure Private Limited by barge owner Durmast Enterprises Limited. For over 600 workers employed on ONGC rigs at Mumbai High, the vessel served as an accommodation.
For ignoring warnings by the concerned department about the cyclone, the three accused were arrested. They also stayed with the captain’s decision to continue to stay put near the rig during the cyclone. Among those who perished in the mishap Rakesh Ballav, the barge master or captain was also included.
A case was registered by the police under sections 304 (II) (act done with the knowledge that it is likely to cause death) 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 34 of the Indian Penal Code based on a complaint filed by an engineer on the barge who was rescued.
A case was registered against the captain initially by the Yellow gate police. During the rescue operation carried out by the Navy along with the coast guard, his body was recovered and his remains were handed over to his family three weeks after the incident.