Vijayawada Krishna River Tragedy: Boat Operators Booked Under Criminal Case 

Vijayawada: The private operators who owned the boat that met with the tragic accident killing 19 people at Ibrahimpet ferry ghat on Sunday have been booked for criminal offence of causing the death. A case under section 306 for causing death of the 19 passengers, though without a criminal intent, was registered by the police.

The boat operators - Sesham Modha Kondala Rao, Neelam Seshagiri Rao, Gedela Sreenu, Vinjamuri Vijayasarathi and Chitti - were booked in the case for their negligence in running the boat after sunset, not providing life jackets to all passengers, overloading the boat and not taking precautionary measures for the safety and security of the passengers.

While the police arrested one of the accused on Sunday night, four are reportedly absconding. The driver of the boat was also among those who died in the accident.

Meanwhile, Telangana IT Minister KT Rama Rao expressed shock over the accident and conveyed his deep-felt condolences to the families of those lost their lives in the boat accident.