The Mumbai Police informed a local court on Tuesday that they need to investigate whether Sanjay More, the driver of a BEST bus involved in a tragic accident, deliberately used the vehicle as a “weapon” to commit the act. The incident resulted in the deaths of seven people and injuries to 42 others. The court has remanded the 54-year-old driver to police custody until December 21 to facilitate the investigation.
The accident occurred on Monday around 9:30 PM in the densely populated Kurla area. The bus, operated by the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), reportedly crashed into 22 vehicles and struck several pedestrians.
Sanjay More was detained at the scene and subsequently arrested. He has been charged under sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 110 (attempt to commit culpable homicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with relevant sections of the Motor Vehicles Act.
Police Investigation
During the court hearing, the police argued that the severity of the incident necessitates a thorough investigation into More’s intentions. They aim to determine whether the bus was recklessly driven with the intent to endanger lives.
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Key aspects of the investigation include:
- Verifying if the driver was under the influence of narcotics at the time of the incident.
- Assessing whether More had undergone proper training.
- Investigating the possibility of a conspiracy behind the crash.
- Conducting a technical examination of the bus to check for mechanical faults.
The police emphasised the need to establish if More weaponised the vehicle in the congested urban area.
Defence Argument
However, More’s defence lawyer, Samadhan Sulane, opposed the police’s claims. He argued that the accident could have been caused by a technical fault in the bus, such as a mechanical failure or short circuit.
Sulane also contended that ensuring the roadworthiness of vehicles is the administration’s responsibility. He highlighted that More had a clean track record and had been driving the bus regularly without prior incidents.
The transport department has yet to conduct a technical examination of the bus. As investigations continue, the police aim to determine whether the incident was an intentional act or a tragic accident caused by unforeseen factors.
