Mumbai ferry crash: Navy pilot charge-sheeted 21 months after 15 deaths

Mumbai: Nearly 21 months after a Navy speedboat collided with the passenger ferry Neel Kamal off Mumbai, killing 15 people, Colaba police have filed a charge-sheet against the naval officer who was piloting the speedboat.

Colaba police have filed a charge-sheet against Karamveer Bahadur Singh Yadav, a special officer with the Navy's elite Marine Commandos (MARCOS), over the December 18, 2024, collision between a Navy speedboat and the passenger ferry Neel Kamal.

The crash occurred near Butcher Island off the Mumbai coast while the ferry was travelling from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island with around 100 passengers on board.

According to the police investigation, the Navy speedboat, which was conducting engine trials, collided with the ferry at high speed about 40 minutes into its journey. The ferry capsized, leaving 15 people dead, including Navy chief petty officer Mahendra Singh Shekhawat.

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Investigation points to human error

The charge-sheet was filed after police received a report from the speedboat's original equipment manufacturer (OEM). According to police, the report found the naval craft to be technically sound and indicated that human error, negligence and speeding were likely factors in the crash.

This finding ruled out the possibility that an engine malfunction caused the collision, according to the investigating officer.

Police had examined whether the speedboat's engine had failed or whether pilot error was responsible. The charge-sheet against Yadav is currently based on the OEM report.

A passenger on the Neel Kamal recorded video footage of the incident. According to the report, the footage showed the Navy speedboat overtaking the ferry from the right at high speed before making a U-turn and approaching the passenger vessel.

The speedboat then collided with the ferry, causing it to capsize.

The crash triggered a major rescue operation involving the Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Police, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority vessels and private boats.

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Charges filed against the Navy officer

The Colaba police FIR names Yadav under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to causing death by negligence, reckless or negligent acts endangering life, rash or negligent navigation of a vessel and mischief.

Police initially attempted to file the charge-sheet last month, but the court raised queries and did not accept it at that stage. Investigators subsequently submitted additional documents addressing those queries.

The Esplanade court is yet to take cognisance of the charge-sheet.

The Indian Navy and Maharashtra Maritime Board also examined the crash. The Navy constituted a board of inquiry, while the speedboat was examined by the Maharashtra Maritime Board and the Navy.

Police said they had not yet received the Navy and MMB reports. Once received, these documents are expected to be submitted to the court through a supplementary charge-sheet.

Yadav, who suffered serious injuries in the crash and underwent prolonged medical treatment, resumed service last month.