A Coorg boating accident at the Harangi backwaters in Karnataka’s Kodagu district killed a Surat architect and his wife after their boat capsized during an adventure-water activity on Friday evening, prompting police to investigate alleged negligence by the operator.
The victims were identified as Dharmesh Naik, 50, an architect, and his wife Nimmi Naik, 48, a teacher at Bhulka Vihar School in Adajan. The couple, residents of Pal in Surat, had travelled to Coorg with their children, Anuj, 21, and Devanshi, 25, for a Diwali vacation.
The incident took place near Ane Camp within the limits of Kushalnagar in Kodagu district. The family was taking part in water sports organised by a private firm in collaboration with the forest and tourism departments when the boat overturned. According to the report, Dharmesh and Nimmi became trapped beneath the boat and drowned.
Superintendent of Police Bindu Mani R N said the accident allegedly occurred because of negligence by the boat operator, identified as Pradeep. Police have registered a case against him and begun an investigation into the circumstances of the capsizing and the safety arrangements at the facility.
The report said life jackets and other prescribed safety arrangements were in place at the time of the incident. However, the presence of safety equipment did not prevent the couple from drowning, making the investigation relevant not only to the operator’s conduct but also to how safety procedures were implemented during the activity.
Personnel from the water-sports facility and Kushalnagar Rural police began rescue operations after the boat capsized. The bodies were recovered and taken to Kushalnagar Government Hospital for postmortem examinations. They were later handed over to the couple’s children.
The incident has brought attention to the operational responsibility shared by private adventure-sports operators and the government departments associated with such facilities. The police investigation is expected to examine the circumstances of the trip, the operator’s actions, the functioning of the safety equipment and the procedures followed after the boat overturned.
Dharmesh Naik was associated with several charitable activities and originally belonged to Ashtagam village in Gujarat’s Navsari district. The couple’s bodies were expected to reach Surat late on Saturday night, with their last rites scheduled to be held at the Jahangirpura crematorium on Sunday.
Police are continuing their investigation into the accident and the safety arrangements at the Harangi backwaters facility. The case against the operator will proceed as authorities establish how the boat capsized and whether prescribed operating and rescue protocols were followed.
