Mangaluru, August 31, 2025 – Manjeshwar police arrested Nijalingappa Chalavadi (47), a KSRTC bus driver from Ambedkar Nagar, Bagalkot, in connection with a fatal accident on August 28, 2025, at Talapady Toll Gate on National Highway 66. The KSRTC bus collided with an autorickshaw, killing six people, including the rickshaw driver Haider and five members of a family: Khadeeja (60), Nafeesa (52), Ayesha Fida (19), Hasna (11), and Nafeesa’s mother-in-law. The driver reportedly alighted after the initial collision, causing the bus to roll backward on a sloped road, hitting another autorickshaw and injuring two pedestrians, Lakshmi and her son Surendra, who are under treatment.

The accused was presented before the court, which remanded him to two weeks of judicial custody. KSRTC officials confirmed no brake failure or technical issues, attributing the accident to the driver’s overspeeding and negligence, as per Sections 281, 125(a), and 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Funerals for the victims were held late Thursday night, with Haider buried at Kinya Meenadi, Nafeesa’s mother-in-law at Farangipete Masjid, and the others at Kallapu Patla burial ground after prayers at Ajjnadka Masjid.

Following Speaker U.T. Khader’s directive, KSRTC provided ₹1 lakh compensation per victim, totaling ₹6 lakh, distributed on Friday. Dignitaries, including U.T. Khader, MLA Ashraf, and others, attended the funerals to express condolences. This tragedy follows a similar 2017 accident in Uppala, where the same family lost seven members.

Official Statements:

“This tragic incident by a government bus requires a high-level investigation. If the driver’s fault is confirmed, action will be taken. Additional compensation will be provided post-court proceedings. The driver’s negligence is alleged, but a thorough probe is needed as no eyewitnesses have come forward.” U.T. Khader, Speaker

“Passenger safety is our priority. Owners must regularly check bus conditions, including tires and brakes. This incident is a wake-up call. We are committed to stricter technical inspections to restore passenger trust.” Usman Altaf, President, Rani Abbakka Private Bus Employees’ Union

“Buses on the Mangaluru-Kasaragod route must operate via service roads as per Form-4. Complaints of drivers violating traffic rules have been noted. Vehicles must be driven cautiously in crowded and accident-prone areas with closed passenger doors. Non-compliance will lead to disciplinary action.” Senior Divisional Controller, KSRTC Mangaluru