Initial investigation into the alleged misbehaviour by a BMTC driver with a woman passenger has revealed that he has a history of criminal behaviour and had even served a jail sentence.
Siddarth, who was appointed a driver in 2008, was suspended in 2012 after he allegedly attempted to rape a woman. He was even imprisoned for eight months. He also allegedly cheated another woman with the promise of a job in BMTC and a case in this regard was registered at Yeswanthpur police station.
Police sources said he would befriend women on the bus and cheat them by claiming to be in love with them. Eight cases have been registered against him at various police stations in the city, the sources said.
Following the incident on the night of Friday, BMTC suspended three of its staff on Sunday.
They include the accused driver Siddarth (35), a native of Anaji in Davangere district, traffic inspector Puttaraju and a traffic controller of Peenya depot.
On Thursday night, a 23-year-old woman who was going to her paying guest accommodation near Banashankari is said to have been sexually harassed by the accused in the bus and thrown off the bus on Bazaar Street at Chamarajpet.
The girl, who is pursuing her studies in the city, had gone to her hometown and had just returned.
Police on Sunday said preliminary investigation revealed that the victim, who was going towards Deve Gowda petrol bunk near Banashakari, had a fight with the driver, who was drunk.
Other passengers in the bus had got off at Banashankari bus stop after which the accused drove the bus towards Chamarajpet. When the victim asked him to drop her at Deve Gowda petrol bunk, a heated quarrel ensued. As he continued to drive, the panic-stricken girl allegedly jumped off the bus through a window and sustained injuries.
She managed to reach a friend’s house and narrated the incident. They immediately called the control room and the Chamarajpet police were alerted about the incident.
Later, she was rushed to KIMS Hospital, where she is recovering.
Causality Medical Officer at Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) H Dinesh, said, “The patient has minor aberration on her hands for which she is being treated.”
“Her medical report is expected by Monday and she is likely to be discharged in a day or two. At present, the patient is kept in Intensive Care Unit to give her some privacy,” Dr Dinesh added.
Govt Will Bear Medical Expenses
Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Sunday told reporters that the government would bear the full medical expenses of the woman to treat her injuries.
Suo Motu Case Filed
As it is a sensitive case, police filed a suo motu case under IPC sections 341 (Punishment for wrongful restraint), 342, 354 (A) (Assault or criminal force against a woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 307 (Attempt to murder). However, the victim has declined to file a complaint against the accused, a senior police official said.
“The driver misbehaved with the victim. He also did not stop at Chamarajpet after she fell from the bus, and sped away. We arrested the driver the next day and he was remanded to judicial custody. Further investigation is on and we are awaiting the medical reports,” the officer said.
