Kurla Bus Accident: Mumbai Police Probing Whether Accused BEST Driver Sanjay More Deliberately Caused Crash, Used Vehicle As A Weapon

Mumbai: The Kurla Police have arrested BEST bus driver Sanjay More (54) in connection with the horrific bus accident on December 9. A case of culpable homicide has been registered against him, and the court has remanded him to police custody until December 21.

Police Sub-Inspector Prashant Chavan (35) from Kurla Police Station lodged a complaint on behalf of the police, leading to the registration of charges under sections 105, 110, 118(1), 118(2), and 324(5) of BNS Act. Following his arrest, More was presented in Court No. 51 of Kurla Magistrate on December 10 afternoon.

Probe To Find Out If Crash Was Deliberate

According to police, reckless driving is alleged since More drove the e-BEST bus recklessly in a crowded area, endangering the lives of passengers and pedestrians. Police are investigating whether More deliberately used the bus as a weapon to harm citizens. Questions are being raised about whether this act was premeditated, part of a conspiracy, or done under someone's influence.

Authorities are probing whether More had adequate training to operate the e-BEST bus and whether the accident occurred due to a lack of competence.

The incident resulted in the death of seven individuals and left over 30 others injured. Police are examining the accident bus in collaboration with the transportation department. They are also investigating whether More was under the influence of intoxicants at the time of the incident.

Sanjay More’s lawyer, Samadhan Sulane, strongly opposed the police's demand for custody. Sulane argued that technical information and training details could be obtained through correspondence with the BEST administration. He further stated that the bus had already been seized and that More’s medical examination had been conducted.

After hearing arguments from both sides, Magistrate S.M. Gaurgonde granted police custody of More until December 21 to facilitate further investigation.