Drunk Driver Arrested After Fatal Sleeper Bus Crash on Lucknow Expressway
In a tragic incident on the Purvanchal Expressway in Lucknow, a sleeper bus accident has claimed five lives, leading to the arrest of the driver, who was confirmed to be drunk at the time. The driver, Dara Singh, has been sent to judicial custody following a medical examination that revealed his intoxication. This development comes a day after the fatal crash, which has left the community in shock and raised serious questions about road safety and accountability.
Police Launch Hunt for Bus Owner Amid Ownership Dispute
Police have initiated a search for the bus owner, Pradeep Kumar of Haryana, who allegedly sold the vehicle to Subhash Chand in Delhi without officially transferring ownership in the registration certificate. This oversight has complicated the investigation, as officials struggle to determine who is ultimately responsible for the fatal incident. The ownership dispute and outdated registration details are expected to pose significant challenges in the ongoing probe.
FIR Filed Under Culpable Homicide Section
An FIR was registered at Gosainiganj police station under Section 105 (culpable homicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against driver Dara Singh. The complaint was filed by Sulekha Devi, a native of Bihar, who was traveling with her children on the bus. In her statement, she recounted the harrowing journey from Punjab to Darbhanga in Bihar aboard the double-decker sleeper bus, which was carrying 80-90 passengers at the time of the accident.
Details of the Accident and Passenger Accounts
According to the FIR, the driver was not only drunk but also driving recklessly. Passengers repeatedly warned him to stop, fearing a crash, but he ignored their pleas. The accident occurred around 4 pm on Monday, shortly after the bus crossed the Gosainganj toll plaza. The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, causing it to overturn. Five passengers, including Sulekha Devi's children, Anjali and Priyanshu, died on the spot, while several others sustained serious injuries.
Complications in the Investigation
Officials suggest that the ownership dispute and outdated registration details could significantly complicate the probe. Without clear documentation, it becomes challenging to pin down accountability for the fatal incident. This case highlights broader issues in vehicle registration and ownership transfers that need urgent attention to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The community and authorities are now calling for stricter enforcement of road safety laws and better oversight of vehicle ownership transfers to ensure such incidents do not recur.
