Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 22 (Inditop.com) The driver of the boat that capsized at Thekkady in Kerala last month killing 45 tourists said Thursday he had informed state tourism department officials a few times about the condition of the boat.
The driver, Victor Samuel, told reporters in Kochi: “When I pointed it out to the officials, they said the boat has been cleared on safety aspects and I need not look into it. I am not at all responsible for this (accident), and now the officials are trying to fix me and put the entire blame on my head.”
Meanwhile, the police team is to question the managing director of Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) and other officials.
Angry supporters of the Youth Congress Thursday barged into the office of the KTDC demanding the resignation of chairman Cheriyan Phillip.
The Crime Branch, which is investigating the Thekkady boat tragedy at the Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary, has submitted its report highlighting the lapses of the KTDC.
According to sources, the police probe has found serious lapses on the part of the KTDC, which owns the boat that was pressed into service a month before the tragedy took place Sep 30.
Earlier this week, the Kerala High Court said the Kerala government as well as the KTDC are responsible for the boat tragedy because they did not act on earlier recommendations.
Justice K.T. Sankaran made this observation while granting bail to five of the six people arrested by the Crime Branch. He added that KTDC had failed to comply with the rules and regulations, which they should have adhered to.
Those who got bail include K.K. Sanjeev, the surveyor, N.A. Giri, the official of the Chennai-based firm that manufactured the boat, the driver of the boat, his assistant and a forest guard.
Chief Boat Inspector M. Mathews secured bail Wednesday.
