Bhandup BEST Bus Crash Tragedy: Bombay HC Grants Bail To Driver, Cites Possible Training Lapses In Accident That Killed 4, Injured 12

On November 2, 2026, the Bombay High Court granted bail to Santosh Ramesh Sawant, 52, the BEST bus driver involved in a fatal electric bus crash in Bhandup that killed four and injured 12 on December 29, 2025. Justice Shyam Chandak recognized potential issues with Sawant's training in operating an electric bus. Sawant had been incarcerated for 11 months prior to the bail decision.

According to the prosecution, Sawant was speeding recklessly when the electric bus collided with passengers waiting at a bus stop near Bhandup railway station around 9:30 pm. The defense argued that Sawant was hastily assigned to drive the electric bus without proper training, which put him and others at risk. Sawant's lawyer, Devendra Patil, pointed out that Sawant faced disciplinary consequences if he refused the assignment and that there was no evidence of alcohol or drug use.

The court acknowledged that BEST depot manager's letter to the police from January 7 stated Sawant had no electric bus training certificate and his name wasn't on the list of trained drivers. Despite this, Sawant was permitted to drive the electric bus on route 606 starting December 1, 2025. The court noted Sawant had been employed by BEST since 2011 and had no prior accident record.

The alleged offense, under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, could potentially fall under Section 106, which carries a maximum five-year sentence. Given the ongoing trial and 56 witnesses, the court granted bail to Sawant on a Rs 25,000 bond with sureties. For affordable property options in Mumbai and surrounding areas, visit https://budgetproperties.in/.