KSRTC suspends bus conductor after private person found issuing tickets

Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has suspended a conductor after a private individual was found performing his duties during a bus journey on Tuesday. 

The KSRTC has also filed a police complaint against the conductor, Naveen T N, 45, and the private individual, identified as Revanth. 

The incident occurred on a bus operating between Kanakapura and Hunasanahalli (KA 42 F 0746) in Ramanagara district.

According to a senior KSRTC official, an internal inquiry showed that Naveen was present on the bus but let Revanth run the show by giving him the Electronic Ticket Machine (ETM). 

Revanth, who did not wear the uniform, reportedly issued zero-value tickets to women passengers travelling under the Shakti scheme, while male travellers were not given any tickets. 

Shivalinga, a male passenger travelling from Kodihalli to Kanakapura, filmed the incident on his mobile phone. 

When he asked for the ticket (fare: Rs 23), Revanth nonchalantly told him not to worry and promised to handle the situation if the checking squad came for an inspection. 

The KSRTC found that the conductor violated the KSRTC Servants (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations, 1971, and suspended him. 

During the suspension period, he will receive a subsistence allowance, which is 50 per cent of his salary. However, he will be required to give an undertaking that he will not engage in any employment or business activity during this period. 

The police complaint, lodged by Narasimharaju S V, the Kanakapura depot manager, accused the conductor of dereliction of duty, cheating the KSRTC, causing financial losses, and bringing disrepute. 

The Kodihalli police have registered a case under BSN sections 316(4), 316(5) and 319(2), which deal with criminal breach of trust and cheating by personation, against Naveen and Revanth.