Boat tragedy: Pramod writes to Prez, PM for probe

Former Minister Pramod Madhwaraj has written to the President, Prime Minister, Defence Minister, chief ministers of Karnataka and Maharashtra, demanding a high-level probe into the accident involving fishing boat ‘Suvarna Tribhuja,’ by a retired Supreme Court judge.

The fishing boat went missing on December 15 and the wreckage was traced recently, close to Maharashtra. Madhwaraj had recently conducted a press conference blaming naval warship, INS Kochi, of having ploughed into the fishing boat, killing all fishermen on December 15.

“Fishermen have expressed fears that the boat tragedy will get a silent burial due to the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. There is a need for an indepth probe on whether Suvarna Tribhuja was hit by warship INS Kochi or other vessels. The reason behind the boat tragedy should come to light,” Madhwaraj stressed in the letter.

If the boat had sunk after colliding with INS Kochi, the government should provide compensation for the loss of the boat.

In addition, the government should announce a compensation of Rs 25 lakh each to the missing family members. He also warned of approaching the Supreme Court, if the government failed to consider his request for an inquiry.