Seven arrested for attacking RTC bus driver in Kavali

 Tirupati: Police have arrested seven persons after they attacked APSRTC bus driver B. Ram Singh (52) near Kavali in Nellore district for honking, so that the bus could move ahead.

The accused have been identified as N. Wilson (42), P. Siva Kumar Reddy (24), Sheik Khaja Vali (53), K. Vamsi (18), Sheik Khaleem (29), Sheik Eleazar (29), and Sheik Bhaji (31).

Nellore SP K. Tirumaleswara Reddy said the road rage incident occurred on October 26 when the RTC bus going from Bengaluru to Vijayawada reached the Kavali fish market. Driver Ram Singh honked at the car in front of him, as it was not giving way for the bus to pass.

“Enraged over the honking, occupants of the car confronted the driver, leading to an altercation. Traffic police intervened and let the bus pass. However, the accused pursued the bus in two cars and intercepted it near NH-16 on Maddipadu service road. The assailants dragged Singh out of the driver's seat and subjected him to a vicious assault. Assistant driver T. Srinivasa Rao also fell victim to their violence,” the SP explained at a press conference in Nellore on Sunday.

A video capturing the attack went viral, prompting condemnation from the AP Public Transport Department (APPTD), opposition parties and human rights activists. APPTD employees planned protests at all 129 RTC depots across the state in solidarity with their injured colleague. APSRTC vice chairman and managing director Dwaraka Tirumala Rao formally lodged a complaint with the police station concerned.

Subsequently, Kavali Rural police registered cases against the accused under various sections of Indian Penal Code, including 341 (wrongful restraint), 143 (unlawful assembly), 307 (attempt to murder), 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from duty), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 427 (mischief causing damage), and 34 (common intention).

Tirumaleswara Reddy said efforts are on to arrest the remaining attackers. He said the accused are part of a criminal group known for intimidating and defrauding people.