A man was detained by the Pune police on Wednesday for allegedly attempting to steal a bus and driving it on the wrong side of the road, causing chaos on the streets. The incident took place in the Shivajinagar area of the city during peak traffic hours.
Details of the Incident
The accused, identified as Rohan Ghatge, a 28-year-old resident of Pune, allegedly boarded a Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus that was parked at a depot. He managed to start the vehicle and drove it out of the depot onto the main road, where he drove on the wrong side, endangering commuters and other vehicles.
According to the police, Ghatge drove the bus for nearly two kilometers before being stopped by a patrol team near the University of Pune. The police had received multiple calls from panicked commuters reporting the rogue bus. A team of officers chased the bus and managed to bring it to a halt after a brief pursuit.
Police Action
Senior Inspector Sunil Pawar of the Shivajinagar police station said, “The accused was immediately taken into custody. He appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. We are investigating his medical condition and motive.” The police have registered a case under sections of the Indian Penal Code for theft, rash driving, and endangering public safety.
Impact on Commuters
The incident caused a major traffic jam in the area, with several commuters reporting near-miss accidents. No injuries were reported, but the bus collided with a parked car before being stopped. Witnesses described the event as terrifying, with many people running for safety as the bus weaved through traffic.
“I was on my way to work when I saw the bus coming from the wrong direction. People were honking and shouting. It was a miracle no one was hurt,” said a witness, Manoj Sharma.
The bus has been seized and will be returned to the depot after forensic examination. The police are also checking CCTV footage from the area to piece together the exact sequence of events.
Ghatge is currently in police custody and is expected to be produced before a local court on Thursday. Further investigation is underway.
