Nilesh Dnyaneshwar Sawant PMPML bus driver was suspended as his video driving in reserve went viral
A disturbing incident occurred on Senapati Bapat Road last Saturday, leaving both road users and bus passengers in a state of shock and fear.
The incident involved a driver from Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) who recklessly maneuvered the bus in reverse, jeopardizing the safety of everyone on board.
Who is Nilesh Dnyaneshwar Sawant name of PMPML bus driver arrested after video driving in reverse went viral
😲 Pune Road Rage Video: PMPML Driver Risks Passengers' Life, Recklessly Drives Bus in Reverse Mode After Heated Argument With Car Driver on Senapati Bapat Roadpic.twitter.com/aM5SgdtxrM
— Pune City Life (@PuneCityLife) October 22, 2023
#Pune: Drunken #PMPML Bus Driver Hits 15 Vehicles On SB Road, Several Injured@PMPMLPune pic.twitter.com/eDx5QgiEVC
— Punekar News (@punekarnews) October 22, 2023
According to authorities from the Chaturshringi Police Station, this incident transpired during the Saturday afternoon on Senapati Bapat Road.
What Exactly Happened?
It unfolded as a result of a dispute between the PMPML bus driver and a car driver, with the former choosing to reverse the bus in a dangerous manner, thereby endangering the lives of the passengers.
Fortunately, no injuries occurred during this incident, although a few vehicles did sustain minor damages. In response, PMPML suspended the involved driver, identified as Nilesh Dnyaneshwar Sawant, a 31-year-old resident of Warje-Malwadi with roots in Satara district.
Subsequently, the police arrested the driver after a video of the incident went viral on social media, evoking memories of a 2012 incident where a State Transport bus driver had hijacked a vehicle from Swargate depot, resulting in multiple collisions.
Witness Recounted
Onlookers who witnessed the recent incident between Ratna Memorial Hospital and JW Marriott Hotel reported hearing desperate cries for help from the bus passengers. Despite their pleas for the driver to stop, he continued to reverse the bus, raising concerns about public transportation safety in the city.
Police officials explained that the incident began when Sawant was operating the bus from Warje-Malwadi to Chinchwad on Saturday. Around 1:30 pm, as he moved the bus to the left side of the road, a car driver on the same side believed that the bus driver was intentionally crowding him.
When both vehicles stopped at the Ratna Memorial Hospital traffic signal, an argument ensued between the drivers. The car driver requested the bus driver to halt the bus, but he proceeded forward.
Assistant Police Inspector (API) Santosh Koli from Chatuhshringi police station stated, “When the bus was near the JW Marriott hotel, he assumed that the car driver was pursuing him and might attack him. Consequently, he reversed the bus and attempted to damage the car.”
Passengers on the bus quickly realized the impending danger and began calling for assistance. However, their pleas went unanswered as the bus continued in reverse, placing their lives in grave danger.
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