The Bombay High Court has quashed an FIR under Sections 304A and 34 of the Indian Penal Code against college trustees, officers and staff after 14 students drowned during a beach picnic.
Judge / Bench — Justice Milind N. Jadhav.
The 22 October 2026 judgment held that the accident, or an alleged want of ordinary care, did not establish a direct and proximate act or gross criminal negligence by the applicants. It allowed all four connected applications. The court sent the judgment to Maharashtra’s Chief Secretary, asking the State to consider or strengthen uniform beach-safety measures including bilingual high-tide warnings, lifeguards, rescue arrangements, safe zones and patrols.
Advocates appearing — For the applicants in Application 493/2016 — Niranjan Mundargi with Keral Mehta. For the applicants in Applications 568/2016, 569/2016 and 975/2016 — Sidheshwar Biradar with Dinesh R. Shinde and Omhari B. Fawade. For the State — Rajeshree V. Newton, APP. For respondent 2/complainant — Abhishek Pungliya.