Delhi Court Convicts Ex-DTC Bus Driver in Fatal 2021 Inderpuri Crash
A Delhi court has convicted a former Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus driver for rash and negligent driving that caused the death of a man on DPS Marg near the NASC Complex in Inderpuri in 2021, holding that his actions were fraught with rashness.
Judicial Magistrate Twinkle Chawla convicted the driver, identified as Karan Singh, in a case registered by the Inderpuri police station under Indian Penal Code Sections 279 (rash driving) and 304A (causing death by negligence).
According to the prosecution, Singh was driving a DTC bus when he rammed into a two-wheeler from behind. The victim, Amit Singh, who was riding the two-wheeler with his brother on the pillion seat, fell to the ground and was crushed under the rear tyre of the bus.
The court observed that the impact was immense, leaving the victim with a skull fracture and tyre marks across his chest and neck. In an order dated August 17, the magistrate rejected the driver's defence that his vehicle was not involved in the fatal incident, relying on the testimony of the victim's brother and technical evidence.
A mechanical inspection of the DTC bus revealed dried blood marks on the outer surface of the tyre, as well as dried flesh and brain matter on the inside arch surface of the rear outer tyre. The inspection also confirmed that there was no mechanical failure in the vehicle's braking system.
The court highlighted that the collision occurred during peak morning hours and that the bus was not being driven within its designated lane. It noted that professional drivers operating large vehicles like CNG DTC buses are duty-bound to exercise extra care and caution to protect the safety of passengers and other commuters.
"The accused did not bother to slow down the speed and failed to apply the brakes in time, resulting in the collision and thereafter, running over the victim," the court observed, ruling that negligence was evident from the fact that the driver hit a smaller vehicle and applied brakes only after the collision.
The court has posted the matter to hear arguments on the quantum of sentencing on Monday.
