Police Complaints Authority member urge mandatory safety grills on State buses after fatal accident

The Karnataka State Police Complaints Authority has written to the State Transport Department urging it to install iron safety grills on the windows of all State-run buses and strictly enforce the ban on tobacco consumption and smoking inside public transport.

In a letter addressed to the Principal Secretary, Transport Department on Friday, Mohan Kumar Danappa, member, KSPCA, cited the recent death of a 17-year-old ITI student, Fakiresh, from Shirur village.

The teenager was travelling in a North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) bus from Hubballi to Lakshmeshwar on July 1 when he allegedly leaned his head out of the bus window to spit gutka. A speeding tipper lorry coming from behind struck him, resulting in his death.

The accident, registered at the Kundgol Police Station, drew widespread attention.

Referring to media reports, Mr. Danappa noted that the bus involved did not have iron safety bars on the rear-side windows. He said similar accidents involving passengers leaning out of bus windows are reported frequently and called for immediate preventive measures.

In his representation, Mr. Danappa requested the government to inspect all buses operated by the State’s RTCs and make the installation of iron safety grills on bus windows mandatory to enhance passenger safety.

He also urged the Transport Department to strictly enforce existing anti-tobacco and anti-smoking laws in public buses. He called for action against passengers found consuming gutka, tobacco or smoking inside buses, including imposing the prescribed fine of ₹1,000.