Two Navy Officers Face Trial Over INS Brahmaputra Mishap

Two Indian Navy officers are facing court-martial proceedings for alleged negligence tied to the fire and partial capsizing of the guided-missile frigate INS Brahmaputra in Mumbai. The trial began on October 12 in Mumbai after the mishap occurred at the Naval Dockyard in July 2024.

Charges and Punishments

The warship's commanding officer, who holds the rank of Captain, faces charges of hazarding a naval ship and negligence in duty. The officer of the day, a Lieutenant Commander, has been charged solely with negligence. If convicted, the two officers could face punishments ranging from a formal reprimand and loss of seniority to imprisonment for up to two years.

The Incident and Recovery

The 3,850-tonne frigate tilted onto its side after a fire broke out while the vessel was undergoing repairs. Leading Seaman Sitendra Singh died from drowning during the accident. While several crew members managed to escape using the gangway, others had to jump into the water. The warship has since been repaired, underwent trials, and is expected to return to full seaworthy status next year following months of restoration work to bring it upright.

Context

Naval mishaps during dry dock repairs raise serious questions about safety protocols and maintenance standards in military shipyards. The Indian Navy previously faced a similar disaster in December 2016 when the Brahmaputra-class frigate INS Betwa toppled over during repairs at the same Mumbai dockyard, resulting in two deaths and three officers later receiving court-martial sentences.