According to the police, six of the 12 people injured in the accident are still in a serious condition and are receiving treatment at different hospitals across the city
The court is expected to deliver its order on Santosh Sawant’s bail plea on January 23. File Pic
Mumbai Police, while opposing the bail of the accused in the Bhandup BEST bus accident told the court that he was driving the vehicle rashly allegedly leading to a fatal accident last month.
Police told the Mumbai court that the driver was allegedly driving at a high speed despite knowing that the area near Bhandup station in eastern suburbs of the city was heavily crowded.
The submission was made on Wednesday while opposing the bail application of bus driver Santosh Sawant who was arrested by the police following the incident.
In its reply, the police said granting bail to the accused could lead to a law and order situation, given the sensitive nature of the case and public anger following the incident, according to the PTI.
No mechanical fault found
The police also informed the court that an inspection by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) found no mechanical defects in the electric bus involved in the crash, ruling out technical failure as a cause, as per the PTI.
Victims still undergoing treatment
According to the police, six of the 12 people injured in the accident are still in a serious condition and are receiving treatment at different hospitals across the city.
The fatal accident
The accident took place on December 29, 2025, near the Bhandup (West) suburban railway station. A nine-metre-long electric bus manufactured by Olectra Greentech and operated by the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking crashed into pedestrians standing near a bus stop.
Four people were killed and 12 others were injured in the incident.
Bus driver was arrested after crash
At the time of the accident, the bus was being driven by 52-year-old Santosh Sawant. He was later arrested by the Bhandup police and is currently in judicial custody.
A case has been registered against him under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Motor Vehicles Act for rash and negligent driving.
Defence claims no criminal intent
In his bail plea, Sawant claimed that he was innocent and had been falsely implicated. He said the accident occurred when he tried to save a rickshaw and pedestrians who suddenly appeared in front of the bus, causing him to lose control, as per the PTI.
He also stated that there was no criminal intent behind the incident.
Eyewitness account cited by cops
Rejecting the defence, police told the court that the BEST bus was driven recklessly and at high speed, crashing into passengers waiting at a bus stop.
An eyewitness told investigators that the driver was aware of the heavy crowd near the bus stop close to the Bhandup police outpost but still drove at high speed while taking a turn behind the outpost, the news agency reported.
Witness safety a concern
Police further argued that the accused and key witnesses live in the same locality, raising the possibility of witness intimidation if the driver is released on bail.
They added that the investigation is still ongoing and more evidence is being collected.
The court is expected to deliver its order on Santosh Sawant’s bail plea on January 23.
(with PTI inputs)
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