Booze was served on fatal boat party, claims Somaiya

Mumbai: Three people dying in a boat mishap at Powai lake on Friday night has once again led to questions being raised about how things function at the lake. Local MP Kirit Somaiya has now alleged that the operators of the boat allowed a party, which involved alcohol being served, to be thrown on the vessel.

Mr Somaiya has written letters to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) as well as the police asking them to look into the matter. His letter read, “For the last few years, I have been pursuing the above mentioned (Powai lake) issue. One more tragedy took place there when three youngsters died. The angling association and boating operators allowed a party on the boat where drinks were served and allowed illegal commercial boating. The functioning of the angling association is non-transparent. The so-called contract is nothing but a fraud. Ten years ago, due to my initiative, an enquiry had taken place and a suspension was ordered. In the present instance, too, the local police and local BMC official took the incident very lightly.”

The MP’s letter further read, “I would request you to immediately initiate criminal action against all the concerned — the boating operators, angling association and the negligent hydraulic department officials of the BMC. All the boats should be seized immediately. The BMC and police must coordinate and stop people’s lives being played around with in this manner.”

The angling association, however, has refused these allegations. Gordon Rodrigues from Maharashtra State Angling Association (MSSA) said, “The consumption of liquor is anyway not permitted in the premises of MSAA, let alone be permitted on the boat. Therefore, it is illegal to consume liquor when one is on the boat.”

Meanwhile, the Powai police is investigating how the victims and their friends entered the lake late in the evening.