Murudeshwar beach tragedy: Tourism officer, UK DC booked for negligence
Murudeshwar: Renowned advocate Nagendra Naik from Bengaluru has filed a complaint at Murudeshwar police station against Deputy Director of Tourism Department Jayant H.V. (Mumbai-Karwar) and Uttara Kannada District Deputy Commissioner Lakshmi Priya in connection with the repeated tragic deaths at Murudeshwar beach.
The complaint alleges violation of the Karnataka Tourism Policy 2020-25, Supreme Court guidelines, and the Disaster Management Act 2005.
Four students of Morarji Desai School in Mulbagilu drowned on December 11. The complaint also mentions the death of a 17-year-old pre-university student on the same beach on October 6. The complaint alleges that the authorities, which earn Rs 3.38 crore from water sports activities at Murudeshwar beach every year, have failed to provide basic life-saving and safety facilities, the complaint said.
ALSO READ: Four school students drown at Murudeshwar Beach, CM Siddaramaiah announces Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia
Life-saving devices, watchtowers, lifeguards and emergency response measures are missing from the beach. Failure to implement regulations as per Karnataka Tourism Policy and Supreme Court guidelines.
Man-made disasters at the beach are prime examples of administrative negligence. Despite earning crores of rupees annually from tourism activities, the money has failed to be spent on safety measures, the complaint alleges.
The complaint seeks registration of a case against Jayant H.V. and Lakshmi Priya under BNS sections 106 (causing death by negligence), 125 (conduct endangering life), and IPC section 503 (intention to cause harm).
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Goa nightclub blaze: Three senior government officials suspended
Panaji (PTI) Three senior officials of the Goa government, including the then Director of Panchayat, were suspended on Sunday in connection with the nightclub fire tragedy for their role in allowing the facility to start operations in 2023, a senior officer said.
A massive fire tore through the nightclub in the early hours of Sunday, claiming 25 lives, including five tourists and 20 staff members.
The suspended officials include Siddhi Tushar Harlankar, who was then Director of Panchayat, Dr Shamila Monteiro, who was then Member Secretary of the Goa State Pollution Control Board, and Raghuvir Bagkar, then Secretary of Village Panchayat Arpora-Nagoa.
They are held responsible for giving permission to 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub at Arpora to start its operations in 2023, a senior officer said.
Police questioned Roshan Redkar, the sarpanch of Arpora-Nagoa Panchayat, who had issued a trade licence to the club.
