Team Goemkarponn
Mapusa: In the case related to the fatal paragliding accident at Keri Plateau in January 2025, the North Goa Additional Sessions Court has ordered alteration of charges against Shekhar Raizada, owner of the Hike “n” Fly Company. While the court discharged Raizada from the more serious charge of culpable homicide, it ruled that he must face trial for causing death by negligence.
The case pertains to a tragic incident that occurred on January 18, 2025, when a tandem paraglider crashed from a considerable height at the Keri Plateau in Pernem taluka. The accident resulted in the deaths of Shiwani Dable, a tourist from Maharashtra, and Suman Nepali, a professional pilot from Nepal.
Initially, Raizada had been booked under stringent sections, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder. However, after hearing arguments from both sides and examining the case records, the Additional Sessions Court held that the material on record did not justify proceeding with the charge of culpable homicide.
At the same time, the court observed that there was sufficient prima facie material to try the accused for causing death by negligence, noting that the allegations related to safety lapses, operational responsibility and compliance with norms required closer examination during trial.
Accordingly, the court ordered alteration of the charges and directed that Raizada be put on trial for the offence of causing death by negligence in connection with the paragliding accident.
The incident had triggered serious concerns over safety standards and regulation of adventure sports activities in Goa, particularly at popular tourist destinations such as Keri Plateau. The trial is expected to further examine the role and responsibility of the operator in ensuring passenger safety.
