Bus tragedy: Driver held from village home

Berhampur: The driver of the bus, 10 of whose passengers died when the vehicle came in contact with high-voltage sagging wires in Ganjam district on Sunday, was arrested from his home in the district’s Akatala village on Tuesday.
“Gagan Bihari Jena (50), the driver, from Akatala village (Belaguntha area) was arrested from his home for rash and careless driving,” sub-divisional police officer (Berhampur) Sadara Jayant Kumar Mohapatra said. “Jena was absconding after the accident occurred. Acting on a tip-off, we raided Jena’s home and arrested him,” he added.
Jena has been booked under Sections 279 (rash driving), 337 (causing hurt by act endangering lives), 304 (A) (causing death by negligence) and 38 (person concerned in criminal act may be guilty of different offences) of the Indian Penal Code and 192 (A) of the Motor Vehicles Act.
At least 10 people died of electrocution and 20 sustained injuries when the private bus came in contact with a low-hanging power transmission line and caught fire near Mandarajpur village under Ganjam district’s Golanthara police station limits. It was carrying around 40 passengers, most of whom were from Dankalpadu village. The incident took place when they were on their way to Chikarada village to attend an engagement ceremony.
Regional transport officer (Ganjam) Sanjay Biswal said, “We have suspended the driver’s driving licence for three months following the recommendation of the joint inspection committee, which is investigating the incident.”
Sources said Ganjam collector Vijay Amruta Kulange has recommended the state transport commissioner to cancel the registration of the bus as it was plying on the Mandarajpur route without seeking permission from the authorities. The bus has a permit to ply from Hinjili to Cuttack via Berhampur.
Transport minister Padmanabh Behera blamed local electricity officials for the tragedy and has asked the Ganjam district administration to launch a probe into the incident. Southco is the power distribution firm that operates in the area.