A district court in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, on Tuesday took suo motu cognisance of the Bargi Dam cruise boat tragedy — which claimed 13 lives on 30 April — and directed police to register an FIR against the boat driver and crew members within two days, citing grave lapses in rescue efforts. The court held that the crew's failure to attempt saving drowning passengers amounts to an attempt to commit culpable homicide.

Judicial Magistrate D.P. Sutrakar noted that information gathered from media reports and social media indicated the vessel was being operated improperly at the time of the accident. The court warned that failure to initiate legal action could set a dangerous precedent, potentially encouraging similar negligence in future incidents.

What Happened on 30 April

The tragedy unfolded when a state tourism department-operated cruise boat capsized in the Bargi Dam reservoir on 30 April. Thirteen people, including women and a child, lost their lives, while 28 passengers were rescued. The incident triggered widespread concern over safety protocols and operational accountability in water-based tourism activities.

What the Court Found

The court observed that the boat driver escaped unhurt without making any effort to save the passengers, leaving them to fend for themselves in the water. It held that such conduct falls under Sections 106 and 110 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deal with culpable homicide-related offences.

"To prevent recurrence of such incidents and ensure accountability, the court is compelled to take suo motu cognisance and order registration of an FIR," the court order stated. The court also commended individuals who participated in rescuing victims, acknowledging their timely intervention.

Evidence Concerns: Vessel Cut After Recovery

Fresh concerns have emerged over the handling of the cruise boat after it was retrieved from the reservoir. The vessel was reportedly cut into pieces after being salvaged — a decision that survivors say has compromised crucial evidence.

Advocate Roshan Anand, a survivor who was onboard with nine family members — all of whom survived — raised serious questions about the dismantling. "The vessel was around 20 years old. Its material quality, structural condition, and onboard safety mechanisms should have been thoroughly inspected. By cutting it apart, the possibility of examining these aspects has been eliminated," Anand said.

He added that while the engine has been taken away for technical inspection, the destruction of the vessel's body makes it impossible to assess whether any structural failure contributed to the accident.

Police Response on Vessel Dismantling

Bargi City Superintendent of Police (CSP) Anjul Ayank Mishra clarified that the vessel was cut open by teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) as part of a rescue protocol to ensure no passengers remained trapped inside. He confirmed that the engine has been secured and handed over to a technical team for further examination.

What Happens Next

The Madhya Pradesh government has already ordered a probe into the incident, but the court's intervention is expected to intensify scrutiny on both operational negligence and post-incident evidence handling. The Bargi police station has been directed to register the FIR and report compliance within two days. As investigations proceed, the tragedy has once again underscored the urgent need for stricter enforcement of safety standards in water-based tourism across India.