Santaji Kirdat (35), the driver of the ill-fated bus that fell off a bridge killing 37 people, was driving under the influence of alcohol. He had escaped with minor injuries. The Ratnagiri police last night received the prima facie medical report that states Kirdat drove under the influence of alcohol and have booked him for cuplable homicide charge.
Watch visuals from site of tragedy
“Yesterday late night doctors submitted prima facia medical report stated driver it seems to be under the influence of alcohol. Hence late night we added IPC 304 II. Also we send the urine and blood sample report to chemical analysis to the Pune laboratory which report will come after the two days.” Said, Deepak Pandey, Supritendent of Police, Ratnagiri. Late in the night, the police added one more offence is 304 (II) - Punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
On, Tuesday the police were not sure about driver drunken status because all doctors were busy with either treating injured victims or conducting post mortem. Late night doctors gave the report to the police report.
The bus carrying over 50 passengers fell off a bridge over a river in Khed taluka of Ratnagiri district in the wee hours of Tuesday, killing 37 people and critically injuring more than a dozen.
The driver Santaji Kirdat (35), of the bus escaped with minor injuries and was arrested by the police.
