Shitalakkhya Launch Capsize: 8 Crew Remanded for 3 Days

A court has granted a three-day remand to eight people, including the master-operator of a ship arrested in connection with a launch capsized in the Syedpur area of ​​Narayanganj's Shitalakshya river. Narayanganj Senior Judicial Magistrate Kauser Alam passed the order at noon on Monday (March 21).

The accused are Ramzan Ali, first-class master of the cargo ship MV Rupshi-9, second class master Nurul Alam, engineers Ariful Islam and Mohammad Nadim Hossain, Lashkar Sumon Hossain and Yasin Mia, Greaser Riad Hossain, and Steerman Zahidul Islam.

Court police inspector Mohammad Asaduzzaman said the police sought a 7-day remand for everyone arrested in the launch capsized case. However, the court granted a three-day remand after the hearing.

Meanwhile, two separate cases have been filed in connection with the launch capsized incident. Two cases were filed by the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA). One case has been filed in the Naval Police Station and another in the Department of Maritime Transport (Naval Court). The plaintiff in both cases is Babu Lal Boudh, Deputy Director, Naval Safety, BIWTA.

Earlier on Sunday (March 20) at noon, the Munshiganj-bound launch ML Afsar Uddin capsized after being hit by a cargo ship named MV Rupshi-9, in the Syedpur area of ​​Shitalakshya river. At this time 15 to 20 passengers of the launch swam ashore. Some survivors have claimed that the launch had more than 50 passengers on board. Eight bodies have been recovered so far in the incident. Among them are three women, three men, and two children. Four more people are missing.