{
  "id": 16117996,
  "title": "Bombay HC Quashes FIR Against College Staff Over 14 Students’ Deaths At Murud Beach, Orders Safety Measures",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/bombay-hc-quashes-fir-against-college-staff-over-14-students-deaths",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-22T22:03:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/bombay-hc-quashes-fir-against-college-staff-over-14-students-deaths-at-murud-beach-orders-safety-measures"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mumbai, October 22: The Bombay High Court on Thursday dismissed a 2016 FIR against the trustees, principal, and staff of Pune’s Abeda Inamdar Senior College over the deaths of 14 students who drowned during a picnic at Murud Beach. Simultaneously, the court mandated the state government to implement enhanced safety measures at popular beaches to avert similar catastrophes. Justice Milind Jadhav characterized the deaths as an \"unfortunate mishap and accident,\" emphasizing that criminal liability could not be imposed without establishing a direct or proximate connection between the accused's actions and the tragedy. Drowning Incident On February 1, 2016, a group of 116 students and college personnel embarked on a picnic to Murud Beach in Raigad district. A cluster of 41 third-year students ventured into the sea, and due to strong underwater currents, several were carried away. Tragically, 14 students lost their lives. Charges against 17 college officials, including trustees and staff, under Sections 304A (causing death by negligence) and 34 of the Indian Penal Code, were subsequently dropped. Court Ruling The court, after considering four applications to quash the FIR, observed that the deceased were adults who made their own decisions to swim in the sea. The law mandates proof that the deaths were a direct result of the accused's rash or negligent actions. The judge noted that none of the applicants desired harm to any of the students who joined the picnic. The court further differentiated between the supervision needed for minors and the expectations for adult students visiting a public beach, stating that trustees and staff not directly responsible for overseeing the students could not be prosecuted without substantial evidence of gross negligence. Beach Safety Requirements While acknowledging the need for stronger safety protocols at popular beaches, the court directed the state government to ensure the installation of adequate warning signs, lifeguards, rescue facilities, clearly marked swimming zones, high-tide alerts, lifeguard training, watchtowers, and regular patrolling. The court cautioned that without the timely implementation of these measures, the tragedy that occurred in this case would likely recur.",
  "summary": "Mumbai, October 22: The Bombay High Court on Thursday quashed a 2016 FIR against trustees, the principal and staff members of Pune’s Abeda Inamdar Senior College in connection with the drowning of 14 students during a picnic at Murud Beach. At the same time, the court directed the state government to ensure adequate warning signs and other safety measures at beaches to prevent similar tragedies.…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}