Brahmavar, January 26, 2026: Police have arrested three individuals in connection with the tragic tourist boat accident at Kodibengre on the Swarna River that claimed two lives and left one critically injured. The arrests were made on charges of operating without proper permits, negligence, and endangering the lives of passengers.

The arrested persons are Suhas Shriyan (23), Sufiyan (20), and Vasu Mendon (52). They are accused of running the tourist boat excursion without valid permission from the Tourism Department, using an unsuitable vessel, and failing to provide mandatory safety measures such as life jackets.

Investigations revealed that the boat was not certified for passenger tourism, lacked necessary documentation, and did not adhere to essential safety protocols. The incident occurred when the boat capsized at the river-sea confluence point due to strong waves, leading to the drowning of two young women and one young man from a group of Mysuru BPO employees.

A case has been registered at Kota Police Station (Crime No. 14/2026) under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS): 284 (negligent conduct with respect to dangerous things), 125(a) (act endangering life or personal safety of others), 106 (causing death by negligence), 105 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety), 110 (common intention), and 3(5) (joint liability).

The accused were produced before the court today.