Bus runs over bike killing cop, injuring colleague in Uttan

A police constable was killed and another seriously injured when they were knocked down from the bike they were riding by a public bus in Uttan, on Saturday morning.

The two policemen live in Thane and they were returning home after duty at Uttan police station when the accident happened.

Mahesh Velhe, 32, died on the spot, while Manoj Salunkhe, 25, was taken to Umrao hospital where he is being treated for injuries.

The Uttan police said it appeared that the driver of Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation bus tried to overtake the bike and hit the vehicle. Salunkhe managed to jump off the two-wheeler, but Velhe was crushed under the wheel of the bus.

The bus driver, Yashwant Bhosle, has been arrested. He has been booked under sections 304A (causing death by negligence), 337 (endangering the life or safety of others), 338 (causing grievous hurt) and 279 (rash driving) of the Indian Penal Code and relevant sections of the Motor Vehicles Act, the police said.

Uttan is about seven km from Bhayander, the nearest railway station to the coastal village. The policemen would ride a distance of about 25 km from Uttan to their houses in Thane, daily.