Passenger falls from bus, driver acquitted by SC

In a recent court ruling, the Supreme Court acquitted a bus driver working for the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) of all charges related to an incident where a woman fell from the bus while exiting. The driver, who was working for KSRTC at the time of the incident, was accused of negligent behavior, but the court found otherwise.

The incident occurred on April 17, 2011, when the woman and her family boarded the bus from Athani, heading back to their village of Mangasuli. As they prepared to alight from the bus near Mallayya Temple, the bus conductor blew the whistle to signal the driver to stop. While disembarking, the woman fell from the bus, sustaining severe injuries to her head, and later died from her injuries.

The family filed a police report against the driver at Kagawad Police Station, initiating a lengthy legal battle that eventually reached the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court examined witness testimonies from the woman's sister, mother, and a motorcyclist who was following the bus, all of whom corroborated the family's account of events.

The court emphasized that the driver had diligently followed the conductor's signals to both stop and resume the bus, and he was not required to independently verify whether the passengers had disembarked. The court also highlighted the conductor's responsibility in signaling the driver and ensuring the safe movement of the bus.

Based on the evidence presented, the Supreme Court concluded that the driver had acted reasonably and did not exhibit any negligence leading to the woman's fall. Consequently, the court acquitted the bus driver of all charges under Sections 279 and 304A of the Indian Penal Code. The driver was subsequently released from any detention, provided he was not required for another offense.