DTC drivers refuse to ply buses after colleague's brutal death; demand Rs 1 crore compensation

A day after Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus driver was beaten to death in a broad daylight, DTC drivers on Monday refused to run the buses, protesting against lack of security.

42-year-old Ashok Kumar, a resident of Jhajjar in Haryana, was attacked allegedly by the biker following the accident, evoking protest by employees of the government-run agency.

Speaking to a news agency, DTC drivers said, "Drivers and conductors have no security. We will not allow buses to run until victim's family is given a compensation of Rs 1 crore." 

"The compensation of Rs 5 lakhs, which has been announced to family of deceased is not enough. We won't stop strike till Rs 1 crore compensation is given," drivers added.

Meanwhile, the accused, identified as Vijay, a resident of Mundka, was arrested late in the night.

Shockingly, according to police, no passenger of the bus or any passerby came forward to save Kumar as he was allegedly attacked by the biker.

Police had earlier not revealed the identity of the biker, saying he might be a minor. They said that the biker had beaten Kumar with his helmet continuously for a few minutes and then fled the spot.

Kumar was driving a low-floor, non-AC bus of Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) which was going from Karampura to Bahadurgarh. Investigators said the biker and a woman pillion rider fell on the road after the DTC bus grazed their motorcycle before the driver was attacked.

(with inputs)