Was ill-fated bus driven by a minor?

JAIPUR: Was it a minor driving the ill-fated bus before it plunged into Banas River from the Dubbi bridge in Sawai Madhopur? While the police and authorities did not have a clear answer to this, reports seemed to hint that it was a minor who was behind the wheels.
According to initial reports, it was a minor, a teenager and helper named Shahrukh, who was driving the mini bus when the accident took place. The driver was allegedly sitting near him But his age has not been confirmed yet. This was confirmed by the statement of a 13-year-old survivor, who maintained that a short boy was driving the bus.


rescue operation in the river

Anurag, who is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Sawai Madhopur, told the media that he could not identify either the driver or the bus conductor. "I saw a short boy driving. I don't know his name though," he said.



Sawai Madhopur MLA Diya Kumari takes stock of the situation on Saturday.

It is suspected that the minor was learning to drive the bus when the accident took place. However, the other injured, including one Kamlesh, who was admitted to the same hospital ward claimed that she could not confirm if a minor drove the bus. "I cannot recall who was driving the bus," she said.


Belongings of the deceased lying in a field.

Following these contradictory statements by survivors, the Sawai Madhopur police are investigating as to who was behind the wheels.

"Prima facie, it was found that Zakir (34) was driving the vehicle. He had a driving licence and the route permit for the bus. The other person, identified as Shahrukh, a teenager, was the conductor. "Since both died in the accident, it is not possible to find out who was driving the vehicle other than from the survivors," said superintendent of police (SP) Maman Singh Yadav, Sawai Madhopur.


Kamlesh, one of the injured, being treated at a hospital in Sawai Madhopur.

However, the police have initiated a probe and handed over the investigation to Subash Mishra, circle officer, Sawai Madhopur city. "In my knowledge, so far Zakir was driving the vehicle. We have registered a case under Section 304-A (causing death due to negligence) of the IPC. We will also record the statements of survivors to get more clarity on the issue. We are yet to verify the age of Shahrukh," Mishra added.


Relative of a deceased outside the mortuary in Sawai Madhopur.