While India readies itself for yet another IPL, it’s a year to this day since Capt Aroza, from Mangalore, found himself in jail in the tiny island nation of Taiwan. His crime! Involuntary manslaughter, since the ship that he was commanding did not go to the rescue of a sinking fishing skiff off the Taiwanese coast. The greater tragedy is that the Captain was not on the bridge at the time of the incident.
From an international standpoint, the case gets a little confused, because though he is an Indian, the ship that Aroza commanded was a Panamanian vessel and so not Indian sovereign territory. Also, since the case, is being tried in Taiwan, Aruzo’s advocate is a Chinese gent, with what is said to be limited English speaking skills.
From a human standpoint, the Captain’s family (his wife) runs from pillar to post, to get redress for her husband. Her appeal for support has fallen on deaf government ears. A government which has forgotten that, these same people, contributed vast resources to this country’s foreign exchange reserves till the economy opened up in 1991.Their three young daughters would soon forget, how their father looks, if the Captain is ensconced in jail for greater time.
The captain was held responsible, because it was under his command that the accident occurred. How many of our CEO’s would go to jail, for accidents might occur in their organizations or for the carelessness of their subordinates.
The following case of negligence is rather enlightening……..
D a ship’s captain followed an unsafe course and relied too heavily on his engines even though he knew the fuel was contaminated. The ship foundered off the Cornish coast and three crew members were drowned.
Held; It is up to the jury to decide whether or not negligence is gross negligence even though negligently endangering a ship is a statutory offence. The question for the jury is whether it amounts to the crime of manslaughter.
Guilty
On how many occasions do you recollect our bureaucrats going to jail for negligence? If you know of an incidence please do let me know!
2 comments:
We just do not punish enough. The awareness that punishment cannot be avoided is in itself a great deterrent.
Shankar
well it really is a matter of "international shame". for that matter as analysed many of our CEO's would definitely end up in jails for their careless mistakes. even the government now-a-days remain so deaf to our requests. that is really such a shame. punishment is required but not to such an extent where it becomes intolerable and tends to develop negative impact!!
Post a Comment