INDIA The driver of a private bus in Rajasthan allegedly mowed down 20 passengers, killing seven of them, including a five-year-old girl – according to a report in the Hindustan Times. Most of the passengers were travelling from Agra and the incident is said to have occurred after a tiff over money. 12 other passengers were injured in the incident which took place at Hathi Ghata in Karauli district.
Police said around 60 passengers from Agra arrived at the Hindaun railway station at 0300 hrs to offer prayers at the Keladevi temple, 50 km away.
Raju Sharma, 26, the driver, offered to drop them at the temple at R40 per person and the passengers paid the fare. But when the bus reached Hathi Ghata, Sharma stopped at a fuel pump and asked for more money to buy diesel.
This enraged the passengers, who then allegedly beat him up and continued on foot. They also allegedly pelted the bus with stones.
Karauli’s Police superintendant, Om Prakash said: “When the passengers were leaving the spot, Sharma suddenly drove the vehicle into them. Six were killed on the spot and one died on the way to a hospital in Jaipur.”
Sharma fled after the incident, but was arrested later.
“A case of murder has been registered against the driver,” Prakash said. “We are awaiting medical reports to ascertain whether he was drunk at the time of the incident.”
