After Kurla accident, videos go viral of BEST wet-lease bus drivers buying alcohol
Mumbai (PTI): Videos of drivers of wet-leased buses in Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking’s fleet allegedly buying or drinking alcohol have gone viral on social media.
These videos are in circulation after the horrific December 9 accident in which a wet-leased electric bus of the civic-run transporter ploughed into vehicles and people in Kurla West, killing seven and injuring 42.
A senior BEST official said they have come across four such purported videos this week.
In one of the videos, a driver is seen consuming alcohol while sitting at the wheel and being questioned by a security officer. The video is apparently from Mulund depot and took place on election day.
“The driver was immediately sacked. We have also received three other videos in which drivers are seen stopping their buses by the road, buying alcohol and coming back to their seats,” the official said.
Two of these videos are from Bandra East and Andheri, while the location of the third is unclear.
The Bandra East video was apparently shot on December 11, two days after the Kurla West accident, sources said.
It was not immediately known as to what action BEST authorities took against the drivers seen in these videos.
In a press conference, BEST Kamgar Sena president Suhas Samant said these videos are tarnishing the image of the transporter and its staffers.
“Unlike wet-leased bus drivers, BEST employees are bound by standing orders and service regulations. Hence, they won’t dare to stop buses anywhere on the road and get down to buy alcohol,” Samant claimed.
Speaking to PTI on Wednesday, Anilkumar Diggikar, general manager had said a meeting was held with operators of wet-lease buses and it was decided to make breathalysers mandatory apart from other steps to curb accidents.
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Surveillance intensified in Bengal border districts as killers of Suvendu's PA may flee out of state
Kolkata (PTI): Police stations in border districts of West Bengal intensified surveillance and searches as investigators suspect the involvement of professional shooters from neighbouring states in the killing of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's close aide, a senior officer said on Friday.
The police are also investigating the role of local criminals who might have provided logistical support to the assailants, he said.
More than 36 hours after Adhikari's personal assistant Chandranath Rath was assassinated by motorcycle-borne gunmen at Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas district, the police are yet to make any arrest.
“A detailed investigation is underway. The manner in which the attack was carried out suggests extensive reconnaissance and the possible involvement of hired sharpshooters from outside the state,” a senior police officer told PTI.
He also said all police stations in border districts have been alerted.
"Checks are being carried out at multiple points, and CCTV footage from areas along Jessore Road is being thoroughly scanned,” another senior officer said.
According to probe findings, the gunmen allegedly followed Rath’s vehicle before launching the attack.
“The escape route of the gunmen indicates that they were familiar with the locality, or local criminals might have assisted them. Without local support, fleeing through the lanes so quickly would have been difficult,” the officer added.
The police, however, are yet to ascertain the motive behind the murder.
The police and detective department officers have launched extensive searches in and around Madhyamgram near Kolkata.
Heavy deployment of police and central forces has also been made in the area since the murder occurred on Wednesday night.
"A motorcycle used in the crime was registered in 2012 in the name of a resident of Burnpur in Asansol. However, the police found that no person by that name currently resides at the address given during the vehicle registration process," another officer said.
