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Jaipur, Oct 16 (IANS) Rajasthan Police on Thursday arrested bus driver Shaukat and owner Turab Ali in connection with the recent bus accident in Jaisalmer in which 22 people lost their lives and many others were injured. The officers provided this information.
Both were detained for questioning on Wednesday night and their arrest was confirmed after interrogation by the police.
Jaisalmer Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhishek Shivhare said two complaints were filed – one by Chandan Singh, brother of deceased Rajendra Singh Chauhan, and the other by Jagdish, brother of deceased Gopilal Darji.
Acting on these complaints, the police have registered a case and started further action in the matter.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to thoroughly investigate all aspects of the incident.
The team led by Jaisalmer Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Kailashdan Jugtaawat includes Deputy Roop Singh Inda, Nachna Station House Officer (SHO) Bootaram, Sadar SHO Surjaram and Assistant Sub-Inspector Rajendra Kumar.
The SIT will investigate the cause of the accident, possible technical fault, role of the driver and any criminal negligence.
Investigators are also assessing the speed, condition and compliance with safety standards of the bus at the time of the fire.
SP Shivhare said that it will take time for the final report to come as many elements are under investigation.
Since the bus was manufactured in Chittorgarh, details are being collected from there.
The investigation will also include statements of victims, forensic reports and technical evidence.
According to preliminary findings, there were 35 passengers on board the bus, out of which 22 died and 13 others were injured, who are currently being treated in Jodhpur.
Of the 19 bodies recovered, DNA samples of 18 have been obtained, with one yet to be confirmed.
Further legal action will depend on the findings of the SIT, which will determine whether the tragedy occurred due to human error or mechanical failure.
So far two FIRs have been registered.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has announced compensation for the families of the victims – Rs 25 lakh for families with three or more deaths, Rs 10 lakh per person for one or two deaths, Rs 2 lakh for seriously injured persons and Rs 1 lakh for those with minor injuries.
Meanwhile, the victims’ families have protested at the Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in Jodhpur, demanding more compensation and refusing to accept the dead bodies.
The death toll increased to 22 after the death of 54-year-old Bhaga Bano on Thursday morning.
Five patients are on ventilators, and postmortem and DNA procedures are underway.
The fire incident occurred on October 14, when a private AC sleeper bus going from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur caught fire around 3:30 pm, killing 19 people on the spot.
–IANS
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