Fort Kochi Boat Tragedy: Council calls for judicial probe

Kochi: The Kochi Corporation council has decided to recommend to the state government to conduct a judicial probe into the Fort Kochi boat tragedy in which 11 passengers lost their lives.

During a special session of the council on Wednesday, Mayor Tony Chammany said that considering the public demand and the request of the councillors, the civic body would recommend a judicial inquiry.

Though Opposition councillors created noisy scenes alleging manipulation of the file with details of agreement between the private agency and the civic body for operating the boat service, the Mayor strongly refuted the allegations.

“The file, including the details of fitness and licence of the boat, was signed on the day when the accident occurred. Corporation secretary and officials in connivance with the Mayor made corrections in the file to falsely prove that the boat had proper fitness and licence,” alleged CPM councillor M. Anil Kumar.

However, corporation secretary V. R. Raju explained that no correction had been made in the file and only copies of the original document had been taken.

Replying to the debate, Mr. Chammany also refuted the allegations and added that the government would be requested to include all allegations raised by the Opposition in the terms of reference of the judicial probe.

“The Opposition’s allegations are politically motivated. An inquiry by the ADGP is on and the allegations on manipulation of file will be looked into. Certified copies of the file can be distributed to the members for perusal, if needed,” said Mr. Chammany.

However, the opposition, not satisfied with the Mayor’s reply, started to shout slogans and rushed to the well of the House demanding the original file.

Amid unruly scenes and sloganeering, Mr. Chammany had to abruptly adjourn the special session which lasted for more than five hours.