Citing contradictory evidence, HC acquits KSRTC bus driver

BENGALURU: Citing contradictory evidence from witnesses, the Dharwad bench of the high court has acquitted a KSRTC bus driver of the charge of causing death by rash and negligent driving in an accident that occurred on November 19, 2010.

Manasing, a resident of Muddebihal taluk in Vijayapura district, was accused of driving rashly and ramming a motorcycle coming from the opposite direction in Kaladagi police limits of Bagalkot district. Mallikarjun Devatagi, riding pillion on the two-wheeler, died.

On September 1, 2015, the trial court held Manasing guilty of rash and negligent driving and causing Devatagi's death. He was sentenced to six months in jail and also ordered to pay compensation of Rs 20,000 to the kin of the deceased and Rs 5,000 to the injured bike rider, Yallappa Kulageri.

Challenging this verdict, Manasing argued that it was the motorcycle that had come at high speed and dashed against the bus. After perusing the material on record, Justice Ramachandra D Huddar noted that the bus was moving on the Bagalkot-Belagavi highway and was taking a right turn towards Kaladagi. But no evidence was placed on record by the prosecution to prove Kulageri, who was entering the highway from Kaladagi side, had stopped to check if any vehicles were moving on the main road.

Dwelling further, the judge pointed out one Laxmibai had stated that both vehicles were being driven rashly. On the other hand, an eyewitness named Asif, after saying it was the KSRTC bus that was being driven in a negligent manner, admitted during cross-examination that he had been busy harvesting onion in a field about half a kilometre from the accident spot. "The evidence of all the witnesses shows they came to know about the accident only after it happened," Justice Huddar observed.