Hyderabad-Bengaluru bus fire: Driver arrested, license fake
In 2004, while driving a lorry, he crashed into a tree, tragically killing the vehicle’s cleaner.
The main driver of the bus involved in the Hyderabad-Bengaluru bus fire tragedy, Miryala Lakshmaiah, was arrested by police on Saturday, October 25, after initially fleeing the scene of the accident. The tragic incident, which occurred the previous day on the Hyderabad-Bengaluru highway in Kurnool district, claimed the lives of 20 passengers, including a man whose two-wheeler collided with the bus. At the time of the accident, the bus was carrying 44 passengers, many of whom were left critically injured.
Investigations revealed alarming details about Lakshmaiah’s credentials. According to local reports, the driver had allegedly obtained his heavy vehicle license using a fake certificate. While RTA rules mandate that applicants for such licenses must have completed at least eighth grade, Lakshmaiah reportedly had only studied up to fifth grade. Despite this, he submitted fabricated documents claiming to have failed the tenth grade, which authorities later discovered to be false.
The revelation of the fake license has raised serious concerns about licensing procedures and the enforcement of safety regulations for commercial drivers. Experts point out that such lapses can have catastrophic consequences, as evidenced by this tragic accident.
Speaking to the press, Kurnool SP Vikrant Patel confirmed that a case has been registered at the Ulindakonda police station under relevant sections of the law, including 125(a) for endangering human life and 106(1) for causing death by negligence, under the BNS Act. Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the full extent of negligence and whether other lapses contributed to the accident.
The bus fire has sent shockwaves across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, drawing attention to the safety of interstate bus travel, particularly on busy highways like Hyderabad-Bengaluru, which sees heavy passenger traffic daily. Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with flames quickly engulfing the bus and passengers struggling to escape. Emergency responders worked tirelessly to pull survivors from the wreckage, but the high number of casualties underscores the deadly potential of such incidents.
This tragedy also highlights the broader issue of driver verification and training. Authorities are now under pressure to review licensing protocols, implement stricter checks, and ensure that drivers of heavy vehicles are adequately qualified and trained to handle emergencies. The discovery of Lakshmaiah’s fake license has amplified public outrage and calls for accountability, as many believe that proper enforcement could have prevented such a devastating loss of life.
Families of the victims are grieving, demanding justice, and seeking reassurances that similar incidents will not recur. As investigations continue, police and transport authorities are being urged to take swift action, both to punish negligence and to strengthen safety standards on Indian highways.