Two Navy officers face court martial over 2024 INS Brahmaputra mishap

New Delhi The Indian Navy has initiated court martial proceedings against two officers for alleged negligence that led to the partial capsizing of guided-missile frigate INS Brahmaputra at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai in July 2024, officials said. A senior official in the Navy confirmed that the proceedings against the warship’s commanding officer, a Captain, and its officer of the day, a Lieutenant Commander, began on October 12 in Mumbai.

The Captain faces charges of hazarding a naval ship and negligence in performing his duties, while the junior officer has been charged with negligence. Frigate INS Brahmaputra ‘lying on its side’ after fire; sailor missing Frigate INS Brahmaputra ‘lying on its side’ after fire; sailor missing All the personnel were accounted for except for one junior sailor, for whom search is underway.

Frigate INS Brahmaputra ‘lying on its side’ after fire; sailor missing storyline 1 A conviction could attract punishments ranging from reprimand and loss of seniority to imprisonment of up to two years. The 3,850-tonne frigate, built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE), tilted onto its side after a fire broke out onboard while it was undergoing repairs. A sailor, Leading Seaman Sitendra Singh, died after drowning during the incident.

Several crew members escaped using the gangway, while others jumped into the water. Current status INS Brahmaputra has since been repaired and is undergoing trials. It is expected to become seaworthy next year, another official said. The vessel’s restoration involved months of efforts to bring it back to an upright position. Following the mishap, then Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K.

Tripathi constituted a special task force under a Rear Admiral to examine broader safety and security issues involving naval vessels. Its recommendations on safety protocols and standard operating procedures have been implemented across naval commands and establishments. Body of missing Naval sailor of INS Brahmaputra recovered Body of missing Naval sailor of INS Brahmaputra recovered The sailor went missing after INS Brahmaputra undergoing refit fell to one side after a fire onboard on July 21 Body of missing Naval sailor of INS Brahmaputra recovered storyline 1 The incident also revived concerns over an earlier mishap involving INS Betwa, another Brahmaputra-class frigate, which toppled over during repairs at the Mumbai dockyard in December 2016, killing two sailors and injuring 14.

Three officers were court-martialled over the Betwa incident and awarded loss of seniority ranging from four to six months.