Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 23 April 2025
An FIR has been registered at Police Station Bambooflat against the concerned snorkelling team at North Bay following the death of a 74-year-old tourist, allegedly due to negligence and violation of snorkelling safety guidelines.
According to the statement recorded in the FIR, Surya Prakash Singh Baghel (47 years), a resident of Sanjay Nagar Morar, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, and an Assistant Commissioner in GST, Jabalpur, was visiting North Bay with his family on 22 April 2025. His family included his father Mahavir Singh Baghel (74 years), mother Kamla Baghel (71 years), wife Archana Baghel (37 years), daughter Anirug Avani Singh (12 years), and son Agni Rudh Singh (10 years).
At approximately 2:30 PM, the family participated in snorkelling at North Bay. Following the activity, Mr. Mahavir Singh Baghel (74 years) began experiencing difficulty in breathing. The Tourist Safety Enforcement Team placed him in a speedboat and transported the family to Marine Jetty, from where he was taken by ambulance to GB Pant Hospital. At around 3:30 PM, Mahavir Singh Baghel passed away.
The FIR notes that the incident occurred due to the sudden deterioration of the health condition of the deceased. The statement was recorded at GB Pant Hospital at 6:30 PM in the presence of Mrs. Kamla Baghel, the deceased’s wife.
The FIR further states that the concerned snorkelling team at North Bay violated the guidelines, which prohibit individuals above 60 years of age from participating in snorkelling activities. Based on this violation, the FIR was registered suomotu by SHO Rizwan Hassan of PS Bambooflat under Sections 106(1), 223, and 3(5) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.