World · South & Central Asia · 3 hrs ago
Indian Navy Begins Court-Martial of Two Officers Over Frigate Mishap
The Indian Navy has begun court-martial proceedings against two officers over the 2024 mishap involving INS Brahmaputra in Mumbai.
The frigate caught fire while undergoing repairs at the Naval Dockyard, and firefighting water caused it to tip partly onto its side.
One sailor died after drowning during the incident.
The officers are the ship’s captain, charged with putting the vessel in danger and negligence, and its officer of the day, charged with negligence.
A conviction could bring penalties ranging from a reprimand to up to two years in prison.
The frigate has been repaired and is undergoing trials, but it has not returned to service and is expected to be seaworthy sometime next year.
The Navy says safety recommendations issued after the mishap have been implemented across its commands and units.
The Indian Navy has begun court-martial proceedings against two officers over the 2024 partial capsizing of INS Brahmaputra during repairs in Mumbai.
The officers are the frigate’s commanding officer, a captain, and its officer of the day, a lieutenant commander.
The ship tipped over after a fire broke out on board and firefighting teams pumped water into it.
A sailor, Leading Seaman Sitendra Singh, died in the incident.
The frigate has been repaired and is undergoing trials but has not returned to service.
- Who
- The Indian Navy is court-martialling the frigate’s captain and officer of the day, a lieutenant commander.
- What
- The proceedings concern alleged lapses linked to INS Brahmaputra partially capsizing during repairs.
- When
- The incident happened in July 2024. Court-martial proceedings began on October 12.
- Where
- At the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai.
- Why
- The officers face charges of alleged negligence; the captain is also charged with hazarding a Navy ship.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
INS Brahmaputra tipped over at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai after a fire broke out during repairs.
Leading Seaman Sitendra Singh drowned in the incident.
A military court began proceedings against the frigate’s captain and officer of the day.
- Ship
- INS Brahmaputra, a 3,850-tonne guided-missile frigate
- Incident location
- Naval Dockyard, Mumbai
- Incident date
- July 2024
- Officers facing court-martial
- A captain and a lieutenant commander
- Fatality
- Leading Seaman Sitendra Singh died
- Proceedings began
- October 12
What people are saying
Establishing the cause, fixing responsibility and putting safeguards in place are essential to prevent a recurrence.