Chitradurga bus fire: With no passenger records, cops left in the dark

Identification of the six bodies stored at the Chitradurga government hospital morgue has become virtually impossible for police, as they are no records of the passengers travelling on the sleeper bus from Davanagere to Bangalore.

Police initially planned to compare the list of passengers with the injured, and those who escaped, thus identifying the bodies. However, while questioning of bus driver Firoz, police learnt that many of the passengers had not reserved their seats, which were filled up as the bus made multiple stops during its journey.

Officers at Hiriyur police station said not all passengers were going to Bangalore; some were to disembark at Chitradurga and Tumkur.

Police officers said the bodies had been sent for a DNA test to help identify them, though they had not heard from anyone yet, and no one had come forward to claim any of the bodies. "We're not sure if the families are aware of the accident, and the deaths. It might take them a couple of days to realize their family members are missing. Only after they make any claims can we compare the DNA samples," Chitradurga police said.

Enforcement officials in transport department rubbished rumours that it was a 'non-booked trip'. The third such bus accident in the state, which left six persons charred to death and several others injured, has raised several questions on the compliance of safety directives and enforcement by the transport department.

Sources told TOI the bus is not a factory product, that it was locally built by coach builders, and the engine could have been assembled. An executive with SPR Travels also said the bus was scrapped seven months ago, but the actual owner, Santosh, chose to operate it by picking up passengers without proper bookings.

But the transport department said there were no such violations. "The vehicle is insured and has a valid fitness certificate too. The driver has a valid driving licence too," an official told TOI. However, investigations to ascertain the reason behind the fire in the engine are directed by the transport department. The officials are also trying to get details of the vehicle from the owner and operator of SPR Travels.

The department said a list of passengers is available at the starting point of the journey in Davanagere. The list was being sent to the department headquarters in Bangalore, officials said.

Despite this claim, no passenger records were found in the operator's Bangalore office on Dr Rajkumar Road in Rajajinagar. "No one is available in the booking offices in Bangalore and Davanagere," he said.

As per the order issued on November 17, after two bus infernos in Mehbubnagar and Haveri rocked the state, a copy of the passenger lists should be available at the starting and destination points, and one copy with the crew. Copies of the vehicle's documents should also be available with the crew and at the operator's headquarters.

Wednesday 17 April 2014

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/With-no-passenger-records-cops-left-in-the-dark/articleshow/33836142.cms