Police officers investigating the Bhandup BEST bus mishap have said that the arrested driver, Santosh Ramesh Sawant, continued to deny responsibility during his interrogation over the past two days, claiming the accident occurred due to a lapse by the previous driver who allegedly left the handbrake engaged.
However, police said that as per protocol, it was Sawant’s responsibility to conduct a mandatory pre-departure check of the vehicle before taking it on the road.
“Regardless of what the previous driver may have done, the driver starting the shift is required to check the condition of the vehicle, including the handbrake,” said Balasaheb Pawar, senior police inspector, Bhandup police. Previously, police had said that brake failure could be the reason for the crash.
Forensic experts at the scene of the mishap, where four were killed after a BEST bus driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle, in Bhandup West. PIC/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI
Police added that Sawant’s statement is being assessed alongside technical findings and CCTV footage as part of the investigation into the , which killed four pedestrians and injured others near Bhandup railway station on Monday night.
Previous driver
The police have summoned the previous driver who was in charge of the bus prior to the mishap. The driver is expected to be questioned to verify Sawant’s claims and to establish the sequence of events leading up to the accident.
Police said the bus involved in the mishap had been sent for inspection to the Wadala Regional Transport Office (RTO) and that further action would be taken after the mechanical report and additional statements are received.
The bus involved in the mishap that occurred on Monday night. PIC/By Special Arrangement
Deputy Regional Transport Officer Pallavi Kothawade said they had begun examining the case and were carrying out the necessary inspection process. Kothawade, based on preliminary investigation, said that there seemed to be no fault with the vehicle.
Explaining the inspection process and preliminary observations, an official from said a brake failure was highly unlikely. “The bus was driven from the accident spot to the Bhandup police station after the incident. If the brakes had malfunctioned, it would not have been possible to drive it that far. Furthermore, the driver’s claim that the handbrake was already engaged and led to the accident is also not possible, as the vehicle is an automatic-transmission electric bus. Such a bus can move only when the accelerator is pressed, which means driver input is required. The vehicle cannot roll or lurch forward solely because the handbrake is on or off,” the official added.
Expert Speak
Nitin Dossa, chairman of the Western India Automobile Association, said, “Usually, drivers do not check the brakes or accelerator before starting a vehicle, but it appears unlikely that brake failure was the cause of this accident. The exact reason will only be clear once the RTO releases its report.”
He added, “What needs urgent attention amid the multiple in the city is the lack of adequate training for drivers. This is especially important now that they are operating automatic electric buses, which are very different from the manual buses they have driven for decades. Simulator-based training is necessary and should be conducted every six months. The safety of 40 to 45 passengers travelling in a bus must be the top priority, and no rash driving or lack of training should be acceptable.”