Police press charges against 11 over Buriganga launch capsize

Police on Tuesday pressed charges against 11 people, including the owner of the Mayur-2 launch, Mosaddek Hanif Soad, in a case filed over a launch capsize in the Buriganga River on June 29 last year.

Sadarghat River police station Sub-Inspector (SI) Md Shahidul Alam, who is also the investigation officer (IO) of the case, submitted the charge sheet against 11 people before the court.

Dhaka Judicial Magistrate Court Assistant Public Prosecutor Anowarul Kabir Babul confirmed the matter to Dhaka Tribune.

The accused are the owner of the Mayur-2 launch Mosaddek Hanif Soad, master Abul Bashar Molla, assistant master Jakir Hossain, supervisor Abdus Salam, driver Shipon Hawlader and Shakil Hasan, launch staff Md Nasir Mridha, Ridoy Hawlader, Selim Hossen, Abu Sayed and Delower Hossain.

The IO also named 42 people as witnesses in the case.

On June 30, SI Shamsul Alam of Sadarghat River Police filed the case with South Keraniganj police station, against seven people under Sections 280, 304 (Ka), 437 and 34 of the Penal Code.

At least 34 people were killed when a small launch sank in the Buriganga River. A larger launch in reverse horrifically crashed into it near Farashganj Ghat in Dhaka, leaving the nation shocked.

As footage from a Sadarghat CCTV camera on the other side of the river revealed, and according to authorities and witnesses, the Morning Bird capsized within seconds after the bigger launch, named Mayur-2, crashed into it while moving backwards.

The three-deck Mayur-2 was on its way to dock at Sadarghat's terminal for Chandpur-bound vessels after unloading passengers at the Lalkuthi terminal.