Boatmen violating safety norms face action; FIRs lodged, six boats seized

Varanasi: Following the Mathura boat capsize tragedy that claimed 15 lives, Varanasi police have cracked down on illegal boat operations on Ganga ghats in Dashashwamedh and Bhelupur areas on Sunday evening. Several boatmen faced the heat — six boats were seized, several challans were issued, and FIRs were lodged for overloading and no life jackets.

A team led by ACP (Bhelupur) Gaurav Kumar started boat patrolling in the river stream on Sunday evening, where boatmen carrying passengers without life jackets were spotted, while several boats were also seen carrying passengers beyond their capacity.

ACP’s team caught three boats with passengers sans life jackets. Boatmen tried to get passengers to wear them when cops showed up, but it was too late. Cases were filed and boats were seized. Bablu Sahni, Yash Sahni, and Dinesh Sahni faced the music at Bhelupur police station.

Dashashwamedh police station in-charge Santosh Kumar Singh conducted boat patrolling and ensured lodging of cases against boatmen, including Ajit Sahni and Mukesh Sahni of Malhiya Tola Ramnagar and Vishal Nishad of Balua in Chandauli district. At Mirghat, police stopped and seized their boats.

Kotwali cops also conducted patrolling and registered cases against Uttam Sarkar of Sonarpura and Ravi Verma of Mansarovar for ferrying passengers without life jackets, and seized their boats.
Get real-time updates and result insights on AP Inter 1st, 2nd Year Result 2026 and CBSE 2026 Results.
Also See: Veteran singer Asha Bhosle passes away at age 92 - Check Live Updates