34 dead in launch capsize, trial remains pending even after 6 years
Photo: Agamir Somoy
Six years ago, short-haul launch Morning Bird sank in the Buriganga River after being hit by another launch Mayur-2, killing 34 passengers. A case was filed the following day, on June 30, 2020, at South Keraniganj Police Station. After completing the investigation, a charge sheet was submitted to the court against 11 people, including the owner of Mayur-2, and a formal trial began. However, despite the long passage of time, the trial has yet to be concluded.
The proceedings are now nearing completion, with only the stage of presenting arguments remaining.
Public Prosecutor Advocate Iqbal Hossain of the Dhaka District and Sessions Judge Court told Agamir Somoy that witness examination in the case has been completed. He said the prosecution has been able to prove the charges through testimony and evidence, and that it will seek the maximum punishment for the accused during the arguments. He expressed hope that the victims’ families would receive justice.
On the other hand, Sultan Naser, lawyer for Mayur-2 owner Mosaddeq Hanif Chowa, said none of the witnesses could state which launch struck the other, adding that they only saw the launch sink. He said the defence expects the accused to be acquitted.
The case is currently being heard at the Fifth Additional District and Sessions Judge Court in Dhaka. Of the 51 listed witnesses, testimony from 36 has been recorded. The accused later claimed innocence during their defence statements and sought justice. July 6 has been set for the presentation of arguments, after which the court will fix a date for the verdict.
According to the case details, the launch Morning Bird left Munshiganj for Dhaka on June 29, 2020. Before reaching Sadarghat, it sank after being hit by the Chandpur-bound Mayur-2. Bodies of 34 passengers from Morning Bird were recovered. The following night, on June 30, Sub-Inspector Mohammad Shamsul of Sadarghat Naval Police Station filed a case at South Keraniganj Police Station against seven people, including the owner of Mayur-2, on charges of causing death by negligence.
After the investigation, on February 9, 2021, Sub-Inspector Shahidul Alam of Sadarghat Naval Police Station submitted a charge sheet against 11 accused. On January 18, 2022, the Dhaka District and Sessions Judge Court ordered the start of the trial by framing charges. Witness examination was completed in that court. Later, on September 8, 2024, the case was transferred from the defence witness stage to the Fifth Additional District and Sessions Judge Court in Dhaka.
The accused in the case are Mayur-2 owner Mosaddeq Hanif Chowa; master Abul Bashar Molla; assistant master Zakir Hossain; driver Shipon Howlader; Shakil Hossain; helmsman Nasir Hossain Mridha; greaser Hridoy Howlader; supervisor Abdus Salam; Selim Hossain Hira; Abu Sayeed; and Delwar Hossain Sorkar. All of them are currently on bail granted by the High Court.
According to the charge sheet, the manager, supervisor, owner and other officials of the Mayur Company instructed the master, helmsman, driver and greasers of the launch to hurry in order to quickly unload some commodes and other goods. Acting on these instructions, the launch departed hastily from Bogdadia Dockyard towards the terminal.
The charge sheet further states that the launch was operated without maintaining the required skilled and adequate manpower, despite clear government directives. Those designated under the survey certificate to operate the launch were not on duty. Instead, helpers were put in charge in place of the master and helmsman, which has been identified as a major cause of the accident. Under the direction of the accused Abul Bashar, Zakir, Nasir, Shipon, Shakil and Hridoy, the launch was being driven at excessive speed. Even in areas where speed should have been reduced, the vessel was kept in front gear and its speed was recklessly increased. The investigation has cited this as another key cause of the accident.
The charge sheet mentions that overall operational responsibility of the Mayur Company rested with the launch owner Mosaddeq Hanif Chowa, manager Delwar Hossain, and supervisors Abu Sayeed, Selim Hossain and Abdus Salam. Due to their wrong instructions and negligence, the accident resulted in the deaths of 34 innocent passengers.
It also states that despite repeated warning signals from the master and helmsman of the Morning Bird launch, the operators of Mayur-2 attempted to overtake it in a bid to reach the terminal quickly. This led to a collision between the two launches, and within moments the Morning Bird sank into the river.
