Boy mowed down by bus cremated

HASSAN: R Rajesh, the 14-year-old boy who was mowed down by a KSRTC bus, was consigned to the flames on Wednesday midnight.
Rajesh, a class 8 student in CKS English Medium School, was waiting with his friend for a bus at the KSRTC bus terminal on Wednesday evening when a rashly driven bus hit him.
Rajesh's father Ravi runs a small retail shop in his village Doddakanagal in Alur taluk.Rajesh was the couple's second son and their first son Manu is in class 10.
HS Champaratna, assistant head mistress of CKS School, said Rajesh was a good student and was the favourite of many teachers and students.
Mohan Raj, one of his classmates, said he had never seen Rajesh cry and would always have others in splits with his jokes. "During exams, he would always tell 'All Is Well' and 'Tension Nahi Lenaka'. After getting results, he would joke saying let's study for next exam. Even after seeing his death with my own eyes, I am not able to believe that Rajesh is no more," he said.
Hassan divisional traffic officer Shrinivas said the driver, Punith, had been suspended and had surrendered to police. KSRTC has started an inquiry into the accident.
Rajesh's family was paid Rs 15,000 for performing the last rites. They will be compensated with another Rs 35,000 after completing legal formalities. Every injured victim was compensated with Rs 2,500 each, Shrinivas said.
The KSRTC plans to increase the number of speed breakers in the bus terminal and the seats at the platform will be shifted to a safe distance away from the bus parking bays.