Bengaluru: The driver of a BMTC Volvo bus was suspended after a video of him assaulting a private citizen went viral on social media.
As per reports, the driver slapped and beat a man on his scooter, for allegedly coming in his way on Thursday, January 30.
According to a report by TOI, the 500 D route (Central Silk Board to Hebbal) bus, bearing the number plate KA 57 F 822, was blocked by a scooter on which a man and woman were plying. The man on the scooter allegedly moved from one side of the road to the other, obstructing the bus’ path. The man and woman were not wearing helmets.
The rages driver, Santosh Badiger of the HebbalBMTC depot, yelled at the man, got off the bus, walked over to the scooter, slapped the man a few times and yelled at him again before going back to the bus and driving off.
A video of the incident was recorded by Hamid K, who posted the same to his Twitter handle. He was a passenger on the bus.
“This horrible incident happened today morning on my way to office dis morning.. Does BMTC personnel have the rights to take law into their hands and beat up a private citizen in public? [sic]” his post read.
This horrible incident happened today morning on my way to office dis morning.. Does BMTC personnel have the rights to take law into their hands and beat up a private citizen in public? pic.twitter.com/8Y3fQD9QF6
— Hamid (@hamidkvrr) January 30, 2020
In the video, Hamid can be heard confronting the unruly driver about his behaviour, to which Badiger responds in Kannada, “Who are you to ask? Speak in Kannada.” Hamid responds in Kannada saying that he can speak the language.
Before confronting the bus driver, Hamid lingered on the man who was just slapped. He seemed to feel faint and almost keel over with the scooter when two other men and his woman companion came to his aid.
After the video went viral, the BMTC responded to Hamid in a tweet saying, “Regret the inconvenience caused. Taking note of this, serious action will be initiated against the erring crew. [sic]”
Throwing more light on the incident, Hamid told TOI that the man on the two-wheeler did not cut-off the bus. Instead, the crossed the road in front of the bus when it was just about to move and the driver stopped the vehicle almost immediately.
TOI quoted a source who said that, according to the driver, the man on the scooter was speeding and would have rammed into the bus. “He (the driver) was scared that he might lose his job in case there was an accident,” they said.
Assuring that an investigation is being conducted into the incident, a BMTC official informed TOI that the driver is a trainee and has been placed under suspension pending an inquiry. “Such incidents will be taken seriously and disciplinary action will be taken against such employees,” he added.
