The driver of a bus that fell into the roadside Visvesvaraya Canal near Kanaganamaradi in Pandavapura taluk last month was arrested by the Pandavapura police on Monday. Thirty people lost their lives in the incident.
The driver, identified as Shivanna, 45, of Holalu was among the three survivors in the accident on November 24. The other two are Sagar alias Rohit (11) and Girish (26).
Since the tragedy, Shivanna had been evading arrest by changing locations. Finally late on Sunday, he was traced at Besthara Koppalu, Nagamangala taluk, where he was hiding at his relative’s house. On a tip-off, a team picked him up for interrogation, said police officials.
The driver was arrested on Monday, produced in a local court which remanded him in judicial custody.
During the interrogation, Shivanna admitted that he was driving the bus at high speed and he could not control the vehicle when it approached the place where the accident occurred, senior police officials told The Hindu.
Shivanna struggled to come out of the bus. He was frightened and exhausted when the villagers rushed to the spot hearing the sound, a senior police officer, who is familiar with the investigation, said.
Villagers rescued Shivanna thinking he was a passenger. Fearing the wrath of the people, he escaped from the place before the police and Fire and Emergency Services personnel arrived, the officer said.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the driver was not involved in any fatal accidents before.
“We have already questioned and recorded the statements of the owner, Srinivas of Mandya, pertaining to the accident. We will recommend the RTO to cancel the permit of the owner and the driving licence of Shivanna for violating rules,” the officer said.
According to him, the mechanical condition of the bus was “very worst” when the accident occurred.
Railings to be built along Visvesvaraya Canal
Subsequent to the fatal bus accident at Kanaganamaradi near Pandavapura of the district, on November 24, 2018, the district administration is constructing railings along the Visvesvaraya Canal at the place to prevent accidents.
The construction works have already commenced.
Considering the safety of motorists and the previous accidents, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has instructed that railings be erected to prevent the vehicles from plunging into the water, sources at the Revenue Department said on Monday.
